For immediate release
Contact: Windham Public Schools
Kerry Markey, Communications Officer 860-465-2105 kmarkey@windham.k12.ct.us
Windham — Windham’s new Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy, a regional magnet elementary and middle school, has begun recruiting students for its fall 2013 classes. Initially, the Academy is recruiting children who will enter kindergarten and grades 1, 2, 5 and 6 next fall.
In its first year, 2013-2014, the Barrows STEM Academy will enroll a total of 300 students from Windham and surrounding northeastern Connecticut towns. Kindergarten is a full-day program. By 2015-2016, the Barrows STEM Academy will enroll a total of 600 students, pre-kindergarten through grade 8, from Windham and towns in the region.
The new Barrows STEM Academy will offer students a wide-reaching, high-quality education with a rigorous focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), starting in the earliest grades.
Barrows STEM Academy students in all grades will benefit from quality teachers and small class sizes. A supportive, hands-on learning environment will emphasize critical thinking and effective collaboration as students learn to solve complex, real-world problems. Starting in first grade, students will also have an opportunity to learn a world language, eventually graduating to two languages. Students of all ages will use laptops and iPads daily; and each middle school student will be assigned their own iPad.
Throughout the school year, a variety of visiting and resident guest scientists from the Connecticut Science Center, local industry and area university scholars will enrich student learning.
In addition, the Barrows STEM Academy will offer a full range of extracurricular activities, from sports to community-based service projects.
Currently under construction, the Barrows STEM Academy is a “green”, 83,700-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility located on a beautiful, 25-acre, Tuckie Road site in rural North Windham. The facility will offer the latest technology equipment in its classrooms and library/media center, as well as in its laboratories for oceanography, LEGO®/Robotics and distance learning. Laboratories and interiors will surround a center courtyard for learning. Outdoor learning spaces include two courtyard ponds to collect rainwater for study, as well as a nature path, vegetable and butterfly gardens and another outdoor classroom.
For more information or to enroll your child, contact Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy Principal Jeff Wihbey at 860-465-2610, or reach him at jwihbey@windham.k12.ct.us.