STEM Academy Opens in Forsyth County

Forsyth County added to its list of schools the STEM Academy at Forsyth Central High School.

Dubbed “an exciting event” by FCHS Principal Rudy Hampton, the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Academy official opened Wednesday evening. In attendance were state and county officials, school faculty, and members of the community, as well as STEM students and families.

The academy has an enrollment of 83 students (35 percent are female) who are “highly motivated and ready to work,” explained FCHS Assistant Principal Kim Head, also academy administrator.

According to Head, the students underwent an admission process. Once enrolled they were divided into cohorts in which they will remain during their years in the academy. At graduation, each STEM student will receive a seal on their diploma as a “STEM Completor." Additionally, the top STEM student within each cohort will receive the official designation of “STEM Scholar” upon graduation. The class of 2014 will be the first to do so.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to have STEM at Forsyth Central,” said Hampton. “It was a natural fit” due to the teachers at Central and their experience. Bill and Kelli Schuyler, in particular, have research experience at Emory. There were four teaching positions within the Academy that have been divided up between current FCHS faculty.

Superintendent Dr. L.C. “Buster” Evans said the faculty was “proving to be amazing,” in his remarks to the crowd.

Possibility Construction was hired to renovate the classrooms and when Evans met with Walt Fairchild, Construction Coordinator for Forsyth County Schools he commented on the irony of the company name.

We can “make this possibility more than a possibility; we can make it a reality,” shared Evans. 

Renovations for the building cost about $1 million and were completed within a nine week period, said Fairchild.

Parents of STEM students were impressed with the program and its offerings of either an engineering or biotechnology track. 

“As a parent I am very excited that kids in Forsyth County have this opportunity,” said Onalee Flynn. Her son, Austin, a freshman, said “it’s a great program." He is on the biotechnology track with hopes of attending Georgia Tech or Clemson to become a veterinarian.

Evan Robinson, another freshman, said “it’s pretty good." Robinson is in the engineering track because “he likes math and science” explained his father, James. The younger Robinson aspires to enroll at Georgia Tech and become an engineer like his parents.

More information regarding STEM Academy can be found here.