STEM

What is STEM?

STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. A STEM dedicated magnet school focuses on these subject areas to prepare students for college, career, and life in the 21st Century. STEM promotes a culture of curiosity by immersing students in authentic learning opportunities that develop their creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication skills in preparation for a rapidly changing world. Rather than teaching these subjects in isolation, they are integrated into the core curriculum through high impact learning instruction and innovative problem solving in a real-world context. STEM classrooms have meaningful technology integration as well as collaborative structures that allow for student engagement. STEM is a pathway in which children obtain the 21st century skills needed to become future leaders and innovators of tomorrow. 

What can I expect in a STEM classroom?

• Authentic, standards-aligned content integration through Problem Based Learning units
• Performance assessments through demonstration of STEM skills and design thinking
• Instructional design that engages students in learning, builds student responsibility for their learning and ensures academic rigor
• Organically designed experiences and student engineered solutions to real-world problems

STEM Pathways

In Pasco County, we are excited to offer three STEM Pathways: West, Central, and East. Our three STEM middle schools are available at: Bayonet Point Middle School, Angeline Academy of Innovation, and Centennial STEM Middle School. Our goal is not to stop at the middle school level, but to provide students and families with a true K-12 experience where students leave our schools truly prepared for 21st Century careers.

West Pathway:

• Wendell Krinn Technical High School
• Bayonet Point STEM Middle School
• James M. Marlowe STEAM Elementary School

Central Pathway:

• Angeline Academy of Innovation (Grades 6-11)
• Sanders Memorial STEAM Elementary School

East Pathway:

• Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation
• Centennial STEM Middle School
• Centennial STEAM Elementary School

View the STEM Pathways map.

Athletics

Centennial STEM Middle School and Bayonet Point STEM Middle School offer traditional athletics offerings.

View Angeline Academy of Innovation's Athletic Participation Policy.

Recent awards and recognitions

Pasco County Schools is proud of the recognition STEM education in our county has received nationally. Bayonet Point Middle School and Centennial Middle School were recognized as nationally certified magnet schools, meaning that they have met the rigorous standards that define high-quality magnet programs. Magnet Schools of America, the national association of magnet and theme-based schools, created the national certification process to recognize the nation’s exemplary magnet schools and to help them continue providing high-quality magnet programs. Magnet schools are schools that offer specialized courses in themes that are designed to attract students from outside of traditional school boundaries.

For more information on this exciting honor, visit our news page.

How do I apply to attend a STEM Magnet School?

Bayonet Point Middle School and Centennial Middle School 

All students who live in the attendance boundary of a STEM magnet school participate in the magnet theme. Only students from outside of the attendance boundary need to apply through the Pasco Pathways School Choice Application. Please see the pathway map below to identify the STEM Magnet available based on your student’s zoned high school. All out of zone students who apply will be sent for the lottery, even if this number exceeds the total number of available seats. Preferences established in the Controlled Open Enrollment Plan will be followed when the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of seats open. Students residing in the district will be given preference, followed by students outside the district. Applicants are randomized and seats are filled by the number of open opportunities designated during the seat setting process. Students not placed during the lottery process will be placed on a randomized waitlist. 

Angeline Academy of Innovation 

All students who would like to attend a STEM dedicated magnet school must apply through the Pasco Pathways School Choice application process. Please see the pathway map below to identify the STEM Magnet available based on your student’s zoned high school. All students who apply through school choice are to be sent for the lottery, even if this number exceeds the total number of available seats. Preferences established in the Controlled Open Enrollment Plan will be followed when the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of seats open. Students residing in district will be given preference, followed by students outside the district.  Applicants are randomized and seats are filled by the number of open opportunities designated during the seat setting process. Students not placed during the lottery process will be placed on a randomized waitlist

Transportation

Attendance at a magnet school is a choice option, and as such, transportation is not guaranteed. 

Students attending their zoned school and who live two miles or more from the school will be provided transportation with a neighborhood stop. Elementary students attending their zone school who live less than two miles from the school and have hazardous walking conditions as defined in Florida Statute 1006.23 will also be provided transportation with a neighborhood stop. 

Students attending a school outside of their zoned school may be provided transportation from a hub stop. However, there is no guarantee that a hub stop will be provided, and parents are responsible for providing transportation to and from the designated hub stop or directly to the school. 

Hub stops will generally be located at district school sites or county-owned properties. The location and number of hub stops available will be determined by the district. Planned hub stops will be listed by each school and no additional locations besides those listed will be available. If hub stops are not listed by a school, this indicates that either there will not be hub stops or that hub stops, if any, will be finalized after the second school choice window acceptances are received and interest in hub transportation can be determined.  

Hub stop locations are subject to change at any time. If a hub stop location must be relocated, the new location would be in the same general area. Additionally, should a hub stop location not have sufficient interest or ridership, it may not be implemented or continued.

View the current list of bus hubs for the 24-25 school year.

If you are not zoned for a STEM magnet school, view the STEM map to see the school for which you are eligible to apply.