Indiana Department of Education Announces 2022-2023 STEM Certified Schools

Two area schools were recognized.

Shutterstock photo.

INDIANAPOLIS – Two local schools have been recognized for engaging their students in STEM experiences. 

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) today announced 19 schools are newly certified as leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. This year’s cohort includes the largest number of secondary schools to engage in the certification process to date, as well as a new designation highlighting emerging STEM programs and leaders and the strides they are making to create an engaging STEM culture.

Locally, South Ripley Junior High School is among the 19 schools that have newly earned STEM certification.

Milan High School was designated as one of eight schools designated as Developing in STEM Certification. Under this designation, schools are continuing to establish infrastructure for sustainable, high-quality STEM education and will receive intentional, strategic support from IDOE as they progress toward STEM certification.

"The schools we spotlight today have demonstrated a commitment to providing high-quality, engaging STEM experiences that not only support students in developing problem-solving skills, but also prepare them for careers in emerging industries,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “As careers in STEM fields continue to drive our state’s economy, our role is to ensure every Hoosier student has access to high-quality STEM curriculum needed to meet both current and future demands.”

View a complete list of Indiana STEM Certified schools here. Schools interested in pursuing STEM Certification can review the guidance here.

Quote from Superintendent Rob Moorhead:

“I couldn’t be more proud of Principal Derik Hutton and the entire staff of SRJHS for working together to achieve STEM Certification.  Even more impressive is the fact that our junior high school was the first school in the state to ever receive a perfect score on the rubric for STEM certification.  The previous high score belonged to South Ripley Elementary School who just missed a perfect score by one point.  That means the top two scores ever achieved on the STEM rubric are both South Ripley Schools.  Our school board set a goal during a strategic planning session five years ago to see all of our schools earn STEM Certification.  We are pleased to be making progress toward achieving this lofty goal.  This STEM Certification serves as just the latest in a long list of accolades for SRJHS and is another example of the great things happening at South Ripley!"

Quote from JH Principal Derik Hutton:

"I couldn't be more excited for our students and staff at SRJHS to receive notification that we were named an Indiana Department of Education STEM Certified School! This recognition is the result of two years of hard work and collaboration between our staff and our community. We have always placed a high priority on preparing our students for success at their next level of education, but this award signifies that we are doing an excellent job at also preparing our students for the careers of tomorrow. This process has allowed us to strengthen our partnerships with local businesses and leaders in our community and for that, I am very thankful. Our students at SR will benefit from those relationships as they enter the workplace someday. A special thank you goes out to our teachers here at SRJHS, our amazing students, the staff at SRES for their help in getting us started down the right path, Mr. Moorhead, and our school board for all of their support throughout this journey."