The John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School at Aurora University is several steps closer to reality, with all three partner school district boards formally approving the agreement for the initiative. West Aurora School District 129 and East Aurora School District 131 approved the agreement Monday night, and Indian Prairie School District 204 approved last week.
"This is the moment we have anticipated for several years," said Aurora University President Rebecca L. Sherrick. "I speak in behalf of the Aurora University community and our many corporate, nonprofit and civic partners in thanking the East and West Aurora and Indian Prairie school districts for endorsing this powerful new model. We look forward to opening the John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School in August of 2014."
The John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School on the Aurora University campus will serve students in third through eighth grades in the West Aurora, East Aurora and Indian Prairie school districts. It will be staffed through a unique professional development strategy that will engage teachers from the partner districts as faculty while they complete AU graduate coursework in STEM fields and become leaders in mathematics and science education.
"We are excited to enter into this partnership through Aurora University and look forward to offering this opportunity to our students," said Kathy Birkett, Indian Prairie School District 204 Superintendent.
Construction of the 30,000 square foot facility began last autumn, and the building will open this August. The curriculum for students has been developed through a unique collaboration between area educators and local corporations, covering the STEM fields as well as art, music and more. The structure itself will serve as a teaching tool, with a green roof, solar panels, a wind turbine, and other elements that will result in LEED Gold certification.
The $12 million construction cost is being funded by donations from corporations and foundations, the state of Illinois and Aurora University. Instructional expenses will be covered by district per-capita budgets, and AU will fund ongoing operational costs.
Fifty students from each school district will have the opportunity to attend the school at no additional cost. Aurora University will arrange a series of parent meetings where more information will be shared regarding application and admission procedures. University officials anticipate those meetings will occur in early spring.
More information on the John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School is available at:
stem.aurora.edu
STEM School FAQ
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"This is the moment we have anticipated for several years," said Aurora University President Rebecca L. Sherrick. "I speak in behalf of the Aurora University community and our many corporate, nonprofit and civic partners in thanking the East and West Aurora and Indian Prairie school districts for endorsing this powerful new model. We look forward to opening the John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School in August of 2014."
The John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School on the Aurora University campus will serve students in third through eighth grades in the West Aurora, East Aurora and Indian Prairie school districts. It will be staffed through a unique professional development strategy that will engage teachers from the partner districts as faculty while they complete AU graduate coursework in STEM fields and become leaders in mathematics and science education.
"We are excited to enter into this partnership through Aurora University and look forward to offering this opportunity to our students," said Kathy Birkett, Indian Prairie School District 204 Superintendent.
Construction of the 30,000 square foot facility began last autumn, and the building will open this August. The curriculum for students has been developed through a unique collaboration between area educators and local corporations, covering the STEM fields as well as art, music and more. The structure itself will serve as a teaching tool, with a green roof, solar panels, a wind turbine, and other elements that will result in LEED Gold certification.
The $12 million construction cost is being funded by donations from corporations and foundations, the state of Illinois and Aurora University. Instructional expenses will be covered by district per-capita budgets, and AU will fund ongoing operational costs.
Fifty students from each school district will have the opportunity to attend the school at no additional cost. Aurora University will arrange a series of parent meetings where more information will be shared regarding application and admission procedures. University officials anticipate those meetings will occur in early spring.
More information on the John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School is available at:
stem.aurora.edu
STEM School FAQ