Hendersonville Elementary designated “STEM School of Distinction,” becomes first elementary school in WNC to earn designation

Press release from Henderson County Public Schools:

Hendersonville Elementary has been designated a “STEM School of Distinction” by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, making it the second school in Western North Carolina – and the first elementary school in the region – to be named a “STEM School of Distinction.”

The designation follows a three-year commitment of incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) project-based learning activities into the school’s culture and curriculum, engaging parents, community members and local business partners in school-wide experiments and events such as the Duke Energy Science Night, Career Days, robotic competitions, and family STEM Nights.
Hendersonville Elementary’s successful integration of STEM (and Art, to create the “STEAM” acronym) subject content into its school culture, teacher collaboration and innovation, community partnerships, and work-based learning experiences satisfied the NCDPI’s rubric for schools applying for the “STEM School of Distinction” designation. The10 attributes include “connections to effective in- and out-of-school STEM programs,” “authentic assessment and exhibition of STEM skills,” and “alignment of student’s career pathway with postsecondary STEM program(s),” and each attribute includes four key elements, creating a total of 40 key elements of which a “STEM School of Distinction” must provide evidence.

The school first applied for the distinction in 2014, after Principal Kerry Stewart had assumed the position as the school’s new principal. She said Hendersonville Elementary’s teachers addressed a desire to pursue a focus in STEM education as part of HES’ School Improvement Plan, and the teachers, students and administration have been working toward the designation ever since.

“We knew we wanted to prepare our students for the 21st century,” Stewart said. “We believe in the 4 Super Skills: Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Creativity and Communication.” She added, “We pulled our NC School Report Card grade up from a ‘C’ to an ‘A+.’”

Prior to Hendersonville Elementary’s designation this May, only one other school in Western North Carolina, Nesbitt Discovery Academy in Buncombe County, has earned the “STEM School of Distinction” designation, and HES is the first elementary school in the Western Region to be designated as such.

“We’ve been so impressed by Hendersonville Elementary’s incorporation of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics into everyday lessons, and fostering an innovative culture among students, teachers and staff,” said Mr. Bo Caldwell, HCPS Superintendent. “We’re excited the state has recognized the school’s commitment to educating 21st century leaders and learners.”