Head of School Update

• 9th grade students should report directly to the Auditorium upon arrival.
• All students in grades 10-12 should report to their first period classes.

Mr. Art Campbell, Head of School

Ms. Kelly Stauffer, Admin. Asst. to the Head of School

We hope everyone has been having a wonderful summer! We are just under two weeks away from the first day of class, and it is with great enthusiasm that we welcome you back for the upcoming school year!

Important Details:

• First Day of School: Tuesday, August 25

• Daily Schedule: 8:00 AM – 2:45 PM

Please take a moment to review the DASD calendar for the full year's schedule.

Our teachers, staff, and administration have been hard at work all summer preparing for an exciting year ahead, and we cannot wait to see everyone. Please read below for some very important updates!

We are excited to welcome all 9th-grade students! On the first day of school, please report directly to the Auditorium at 8:00 AM instead of going to your first-period class. Everyone else should report to their first period A day class on their schedules. If your students has a revision period they should check in at the Knowledge Commons for attendance

Welcome New Staff Members

We would like to take a moment to introduce and welcome several new staff members to our building this year! We are excited to welcome these amazing professionals to our team.

Our new staff member is listed below:

• Mr. Alex Mowday, Head Custodian

• Ms. Stephanie Kistler, Orchestra Teacher

Lunch & Learn: Beginning August 28, and on all full-schedule days (Periods 1–7), we will continue our one-hour Lunch & Learn. This dedicated time is built into the school day so every student has equal access to teachers, counselors, and resources.

During Lunch & Learn, students can eat lunch, complete schoolwork, receive extra academic support, attend club meetings, or participate in stadium activities and special programs. We encourage you to ask your child how they plan to use this time. Remind them to take full advantage of these resources to build the time-management skills they’ll need for success in college, careers, and beyond.

Cellphones and Personal Electronic Devices: As shared in a previous communication, our school is moving to a "phone-free" environment during instructional time to align with updated School Board Policy 237 (Electronic Devices). To support a focused, engaging learning space, student devices will be put away during class. This change aims to improve academic focus, boost productivity, and foster stronger face-to-face connections. Rest assured, students will still have access to their phones between classes, during lunch and Lunch & Learn, and during designated revision periods. We appreciate your partnership in talking with your student about these expectations prior to the first day so we can work together toward a smooth transition.

Early Dismissals: For safety and accountability, all students leaving school must check out properly. Students with a note for an early dismissal should report to the main office. Students leaving due to illness must go through our school nurse, Mrs. Mikulich. If your child feels unwell, they should first ask their teacher for permission to visit the nurse, who will determine the next steps. Parents, please do not have your child text or call you directly to be picked up. Instead, encourage them to go to the nurse, who will contact you if needed—or call the school yourself to let us know your child isn’t feeling well.

Emergency Drills: In the first weeks of school, we’ll be running our fire, severe weather, and ALICE (lockdown/evacuation) drills to make sure everyone knows exactly what to do in an emergency. Safety is our top priority, and these practice runs help students feel confident and prepared. Ask your student how each drill went and how they felt. Your conversations reinforce the importance of staying alert, calm, and ready.

Arriving at School on Time: Every minute counts at the STEM Academy, and being on time sets the tone for the day. Our school day starts promptly at 8:00 AM. Students are expected to be in their classrooms by that time, ready to learn. Please plan for extra time in the mornings, especially during the first week. While we’ll be flexible in that opening week, students who drive or are dropped off should arrive on time once routines are in place. Bus riders will not be marked late if their bus arrives late.

Senior Pathways: As in previous years, Senior Pathways will run during the second and third marking periods. During the first marking period, seniors will report to their assigned classroom to work on CAS, EE, practicum portfolios, college applications, and special presentations. Attendance is required during this time, and senior privilege (early dismissal/late arrival) will not be in effect until later in the year.

Student Schedules: Schedules are available on the Campus Portal. The District technology department will send a notification home to parents when the portal is opened. Please advise your son/daughter to check the Campus Portal up to the first student day of school, August 25, 2026, as schedules are subject to change. Juniors and Seniors, should also verify that they are registered for the proper number of HL and SL courses. If there is an error on your son/daughter’s schedule please call the Counseling Office at (610) 269-2420 x 43031 or email your counselor.

Traffic: Please review the student pick up and drop off procedures located under School Day on our Website.

Student Parking: Students are only permitted to park in designated areas on the DASD campus. Parking anywhere other than the designated district provided parking areas could result in being towed or fined. Members of the Junior and Senior Class are eligible to apply for a Parking Permit. Information was sent out to both the Senior Class on August 10, and will be sent out to the Junior Class on Monday, August 17.

Attendance: As a reminder, Ms. Sokso is our attendance assistant. All attendance inquiries can be directed to stemattendance@dasd.org. If you have any questions or concerns about attendance please reach out to her. If your student is absent you must send in an excuse note within three days after the absence. If your student will be missing school for a family trip please be sure to fill out the family trip form ahead of time. Request Form for Educational and Family Trips. Please note that students will not be permitted more than ten accumulated days for educational and family trips.

Technology Fee: The DASD School Board of Directors has established a technology fee for all high school students. Please review the District 1:1 Fast Facts for Families- DASD for details on technology fees, and all other device specific information. Please visit PaySchools Central in order to satisfy payment requirements.

Free & Reduced Meal Plan: Information can be found on the Food Services website

School Safety: Safety and Discipline are an essential component to any school. Students and parents are required to read the bullet points below as you will be held responsible for following school and school district policies. All students are required to follow all school and district policies and procedures.

• Student Code of Conduct Policy- please review prior to the start of school.

• Student Rights and Responsibility- please review prior to the start of school.

IB Internal Assessments: Juniors and seniors will complete IB Internal Assessments throughout their two-year program. Our IB Coordinator, Mr. Sheehan, will send communication with requirements and due dates. For the Classes of 2027 and 2028, dates will be established in collaboration with teachers, and more information will be shared soon.

IB Assessment and Curriculum Fees: Every senior, both diploma and non-diploma candidates, will take the culminating IB exams in May. Please review the STEM Academy Class of 2027 IB Fees Letter that was sent out last spring, and shared on our website. IB Fees have been uploaded to all Payschool accounts for the Class of 2026. Please review the exam schedule as well and make sure to check back as there may be modifications made throughout the year: STEM Class of 2027 IB Exam Schedule as of August 7 2026 Please contact Mr. Sheehan or Ms. Schell with any questions.

At The STEM Academy, our guiding motto, “Effort Creates Intelligence,” reflects a deep belief in the power of a growth mindset: intelligence and success grow through perseverance, learning from mistakes, and embracing challenges. Central to this journey are the Five Habits of Mind that shape every student’s growth and prepare them for college, career, and life beyond our walls. These habits of Responsibility, Respect, Compassionate Participation, Effort, and Engagement encourage students to take ownership of their learning, act with integrity, support and collaborate with others, persist through challenges, and pursue knowledge with curiosity and creativity. Through daily practice of these habits, alongside our rigorous academics and supportive community, our school equips students not only to achieve academic excellence but to thrive as thoughtful, resilient, and compassionate individuals ready to make a positive impact in the world.

We’re here to partner with you in your child’s education, so please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, or concerns. Together, we can make this year amazing!

Sincerely,

Art Campbell

Head of School

Please take a moment to review this information that was sent out on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from the Director of Communications, Jennifer Shealy.

Please take a moment to review the Electronic Devices notification that was sent out on Thursday, August 13. This new policy, AG-237 Electronic Devices will be in effect beginning the first day of school for students and throughout the 26-27 school year.

Course Change Requests: Course Change Requests should be entered through [Scheduling] STEM Request Changes 26-27 School Year form. That information will be processed in a timely manner and the form should be completed by the student using their student DASD email address.

The 26-27 Parking Permit application opened for the Senior Class on Monday, August 10, and will open for the Junior Class on Monday, August 17, 2026 at 8:00 am. Students should use their DASD student email address to apply, as the permit is issued to the student driving the car on campus. Information regading parking permits can be found on our website in the Backpack.

Permit Pickup Requirements for both Junior and Senior Class Applicants:

• All obligations listed in Payschools must be paid and up to date.

• Seniors: Must have IB Fee 1 and 2 cleared and must have completed their Diploma Verification.

• All outstanding physical forms must be turned in to Ms. Mikulich.

• Students should bring their valid drivers' license, car insurance and registration form when picking up the permit. Below are the times available for pick up prior to the first student day.

Parking Permit Pick Up prior to August 25

Monday, August 17: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Tuesday, August 18: 10:30 am - 1:00 pm

Wednesday, August 19: 10:30 am - 1:00 pm

Thursday, August 20: 9:00 - 11:30 am; 1:00 - 2:30 pm

**Any student that purchased a parking permit that cannot pick up prior to the first day of school, should make plans to pick up in the main office after school beginning Tuesday, August 25. Students will not be ticketed during the first two weeks of school, but should make every effort to pick up their parking permit as soon as possible. We are not able to issue a parking permit in the morning, before school begins. Thank you for understanding.

Volunteers: We would like to welcome volunteers throughout the school year. Please take a moment to review the Volunteer Requirements. The Annual DASD Volunteer Disclosure Form should be completed and returned each school year. All volunteer clearances and forms can be emailed to Kstauffer@dasd.org.

You're warmly invited to a special reception for families of our incoming freshmen! This is a great chance to connect with other families, take a guided tour of our school, and learn more about your student's exciting journey.

Date: Monday, August 17, 2026 Time: 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Location: Downingtown STEM Academy, 335 Manor Ave.

What to Expect:

When you arrive, please check in at the registration table.

• Parents: Head to the STEM Academy Auditorium. You'll be divided into groups for a guided tour and hear from counselors, mentors, administration, and the Home and School Association.
• Incoming Freshmen: Go to the gymnasium. You'll participate in small group team-building activities, take a tour, set up your laptops (please bring along!), and get to know your new classmates.

To wrap up the evening, many clubs will be set up in the Student Commons, and light refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP by clicking here: Freshman Orientation and Family Open House RSVP

We look forward to seeing you there!

Locker Day: Friday, August 21 (9:00 am-12:00 pm)

If you are not available to make it to orientation, or would like one final opportunity to take a walk through the building to find your locker and your classrooms, there is one final day available to the incoming class.

During this scheduled “Locker Day”, students will be able to independently tour the building to locate their classrooms and lockers before the first student day, on Monday, August 25. Additionally, the student schedule with locker information will be available to pick up in the front office for those that did not attend orientation.

If your incoming freshmen did attend orientation but would like one final walkthrough of their schedule before the first student day, they should bring the schedule/map provided to them at orientation to use while taking one final walkthrough between 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Laptop Pick Up

Students that did not pick up their laptops during the scheduled times earlier this month, should plan to pick up their laptop on the first student day, on Tuesday, August 25. Students should plan to arrive to school early, and report to the STEM Knowledge Commons at 7:15 am, where a technology associate will be able to assist with the new device. Students will be prompted to create a new password at that time.

26/27 Student Contact Information Update: It is that time of year again, where we ask families to begin updating and confirming their contact information for the next school year.

This should be completed by visiting https://www.dasd.org/student-registration

Scroll to the middle of the page, were you will see Parent Portal. Click Existing Families or Families new to DASD to access the Parent Portal to update your information with the district (click More > Registration/Enrollment Options for DASD Families > Annual Update > 2026-2027 Next School Year (August 2026 to June 2027) Enrollment/Registration).

If you need further assistance, please enter a help ticket through the DASD Service Desk.

Ensuring that we have accurate demographic, health and contact information for your child directly impacts our ability to best serve our students. Additionally, it is an essential piece to ensuring student safety.

If there are any questions regarding this process, please contact Ms. Rockowitz in the STEM Counseling office.

• Technology related questions – Enter a ticket at https://servicedesk.dasd.org/support/home

STEM Academy Class of 2027 Senior Portraits: If you have not yet scheduled an appointment with CADY Studios for senior portraits, please make sure to do so as soon as possible.

Visit cady.com/schedule to book your senior portrait session today!

The only Senior Portrait make-up sessions in house at the STEM Academy will be September 2, from 3:00 - 9:00 pm by appointment only. All other sessions will need to be scheduled in the CADY studios.

Additional Important Reminders:

• Class of 2027 IB Fees Letter with Payment Schedule: Fees have been uploaded to all STEM Academy Junior Class members Payschools accounts. Please contact Ms. Meghan Schell or Mr. Mike Sheehan with any questions.

• Diploma Verification: Attention all members of the Class of 2027...the Diploma Verification form is now open! This information will be used for your diploma and ALL graduation lists and documents. We are also collecting mailing and email addresses for future correspondence after graduation. **This form must be completed by the graduating senior, using the student DASD email address and should be completed no later than October 14. Please contact kstauffer@dasd.org with any questions.

• Senior Early Dismissal/Late Arrival Form (Senior Privileges) 26-27: This form is for Early Dismissal/Late Arrival permission for Senior Class students. Students will be responsible for printing out this form and obtaining all signatures. Mr. Campbell will sign off after all other signatures have been obtained. After final approval, students will receive a notice to come to the office to see Ms. Sokso.

• Act 10 Military Letter: Please review this letter and return to Ms. Stephanie Rockowitz in the STEM Counseling office by October 9, 2026 if you wish to be excluded as noted in the letter.

• STEM Academy Class of 2027 Senior Class Parking Permit (As a reminder, this application must be completed by the student, using their DASD student email address. For future reference, this information can also be located on our website, under the Backpack. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Applicants must have all obligations noted up to date before a parking permit will be issued.

(New Schedule)STEM Class of 2026 IB Exam Schedule as of July 30, 2025: Be sure to check for updates throughout the year, as the schedule changes from time to time.

CADY will be on the STEM Academy Campus on Thursday, September 3, 2026 photographing students for the yearbook. These pictures will also be used to create student IDs for all students.

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Please remind your student to dress appropriately and come prepared for their portrait. Families can confirm their information and save $10 on photo packages when they pre-order before Picture Day.

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Visit cady.com/pictureday to confirm your info, explore package options and place your order.

The make up date for underclassmen portraits will be Wednesday October 21, 2026 for those that may miss the original day.

Thank you for helping make Picture Day a success!

Ms. Katherine Cole, Dean of Academics & Student Life

Ms. Naomi Choi, Admin. Asst.

Information for Clubs for the 26-27 School Year will be shared in mid September. Stay tuned!

Many events for the upcoming school year have been added to the calendar on the STEM Academy Website.

This fall, all 9th grade students enrolled in a World Language course will participate in the Avant STAMP 4S (Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency) assessment. This proficiency assessment measures students’ skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in their target language (Spanish, French, or German). Students will take the assessment again in the spring to measure their growth over the course of the school year. Students in grade 10 will take the assessment once in the winter.

The Avant STAMP assessment is more than a diagnostic tool for teachers. It provides students with an opportunity to reflect on their progress, identify strengths, and set meaningful goals for continued language development. The assessment is computer adaptive. It adjusts to each student’s proficiency level and provides a more accurate picture of their current skills.

Why it matters:

• Helps students track their language growth over time.
• Builds metacognitive skills through self-assessment and reflection.
• Provides teachers with valuable information to support instruction.
• Supports college, career, and global readiness through the development of multilingual skills.
• Establishes a pathway toward earning the Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy, a distinction that can be highlighted on college applications and resumes.

We encourage families to view this assessment as an important milestone in their student’s language-learning journey. Students will prepare for and reflect on the assessment during their World Language classes, and teachers will communicate when each section will be administered.

If you have any questions, please contact your student’s World Language teacher.

Additional Summer Assigments for STEM Students Grades 9-12

Dr. Troy Podell, Downingtown STEM Academy Internships and Partnerships

Ms. Naomi Choi, Admin. Asst.

Dual Enrollment

Our first STEM Academy cohort of 13 students pursuing their Associate's Degree from Delaware County Community College alongside their high school diploma are entering their Senior year. This year, they are joined by 14 Juniors beginning their journey at DCCC in pursuit of their Associate's Degree, as well as 5 Seniors participating in the Downingtown Advantage 12th Grade program. These programs save students and families significant time and money in pursuit of their postsecondary educational plans. If you're interested in learning more, book a meeting with Dr. Podell by reaching out to Naomi Choi at nchoi@dasd.org.

Career Education and STEM Practicum

As the Summer comes to a close, our rising 12th grade students are concluding the last of their STEM Practicum experiences. We want to extend a sincere note of gratitude to our over 40 participating employers in STEM fields for providing amazing experiences for our young people as they explore potential career paths. The class of 2027 impressed our partners with their enthusiasm, smarts, and soft skills.

After completing the Practicum, Seniors should answer our brief feedback survey, and complete their Practicum Portfolio.

If you have any questions about the STEM Practicum, or want your employer to get involved in this amazing opportunity to shape the regional workforce leaders of tomorrow, please reach out to Ms. Choi at nchoi@dasd.org to find out more, and book a meeting with Dr. Podell.

Ms. Stephanie Rockowitz, Counseling Secretary/Registrar

• To schedule an appt. to visit your school counselor, please complete the following form: Counseling Appointment Request Form
• Additional Resources from the STEM Counseling Department

Ms. Jennifer Stull, Prevention Specialist

Guide to Districtwide Mental Health Resources

If your student is in need of immediate assistance please contact Ms. Stephanie Rockowitz and she will connect you with someone that can assist you. If you are in need of a work permit, please find the application location in the STEM Back Pack at the bottom of the page under Work Permits. Permits can be obtained in the counseling office. Please be sure to review and provide the necessary documentation listed on the website.

Additional Resources

College App Workshop presentation

Common Date Set Overview

US Dept. of Education College Scorecard

The Common Application is open for the Class of 2027!

Remember this is just the starting line, NOT A DEADLINE! No college expects you to submit everything in the first day or week of the application season.Pace yourself, be diligent, and pay attention to deadlines. Please do not sacrifice the last remaining month of summer break, vacations, and spending time with friends/family in order to submit applications that will not be due until late fall. For an overview of rolling admissions timelines, take a look at this article: https://blog.prepscholar.com/colleges-with-rolling-admissions

Lastly, we wanted to re-share some of the resources we provided back in early June. Attached is our 11th Grade Wrap-Up presentation where we discussed:

• Summer timeline to prep for college application season

• Standardized testing and test-optional admissions

• The Common Application

  • The Common App essay

  • Supplemental college essays

• Letters of Recommendation (and how to request them)

• Transcript Submission and Self-Reporting Grades

We cannot wait to work alongside your Senior during this exciting time!
Mrs. Hewitt and Mrs. Glowik

Co-Presidents: Kelly Sears and Meredith Roddy

Co - Vice Presidents: Jennifer Zori and Anne Arpa

Secretary - Sara Czubaroff

Co -Treasurers - Kousalya Alapati and Eva Lennon

Meetings will be held throughout the school year, on the dates designated below each month in the STEM Academy Knowledge Commons at 7:00 pm, unless otherwise noted.

• 2026-2027 HSA Meeting Schedule

  • September 14, 2026
  • October 19, 2026
  • November 16, 2026
  • January 11, 2027
  • February 8, 2027
  • March 15, 2027
  • April 12, 2027
  • May 10, 2027

Please visit the external STEM HSA website!

The DHS-MPA is made up of parents and guardians of students involved in any of the Downingtown High School music programs, including Marching Bands, Concert Band, Symphonic Band and ensembles, String Orchestra and ensembles, Vocal Choirs and ensembles, Indoor Drumline, and Color Guard. Our mission is to provide program support to maintain the existence and the integrity of the music programs at all of the Downingtown High Schools, including the Downingtown East Campus, the Downingtown West Campus and the STEM Academy. In the 2024-2025 year we supported over 650 music students!

East Band

• 📅 East Band Calendar

West Band

• 📅 West Band Calendar

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All students at STEM are encouraged to participate in athletic programs offered at their home schools.

An activity bus is available for students heading to East to participate daily, and is located in the bus loop at dismissal.

To find more information about what sports are offered at your students’ homeschool, please choose one of the following that links directly to the correct Athletics page:

Downingtown East High School Athletics

Downingtown East High School Athletics Schedule

AND

Downingtown West High School Athletics

Downingtown West High School Athletics Schedule

• 2026-2027 School Year

  The DASD 2026-2027 was board approved onJanuary 14 2026. Please review the school start times as shared on the district website and noted below:

  • Elementary (Grades K-6): 9:00 a.m.-3:35 p.m.
  • Secondary (Grades 7-12): 8:00 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
  
  
• Infinite Campus: Student schedules, report cards, and access to updating the annual registration verification can be accessed here.
• Payschools: All Activity, Technology and Food services fees can be paid quickly and easily in this portal. (All parking permit fees should now be showing in student accounts.)
• Schoology: Many courses and classes are updated daily. This is a very important tool for communicating!
• Service Desk: Technology support can be accessed here.

Student Drop Off

Please be reminded that students are to be dropped off behind the school. No students should be dropped off on Manor Ave. We appreciate your cooperation. Safety is always our first priority.

Also for the safety of all students and staff crossing back and forth during lunch time, the entrance to the STEM Academy on Campbell Drive will be closed during all lunch times for the remainder of the school year. Please use the West entrance to access the campus during that time.

Traffic:

Parents are not permitted to park, drop-off, or pick-up students from the left side of the Academy or on Manor Avenue.

• All parent pick-up vehicles must enter from Manor Avenue on the right side of the building (Campbell Drive). Parents will be directed by the traffic guard to loop around the building in order to pickup students.
• Bus pick-up for students from the Downingtown East High School attendance area will be along the fence that faces Kottmeyer Stadium. Bus pick-up for students from the Downingtown West High School attendance area will be at Downingtown West High School and Downingtown Middle School. Students will then walk to the Academy.
• Please make sure students are prepared for inclement weather. Parents are not permitted to park, drop-off, or pick-up students from the left side of the Academy or on Manor Avenue.
• For the safety of our students, it is essential that all drivers adhere to traffic patterns and regulations

Please review the student pick up and drop off procedures located under School Day on our Website.

Bus Passes are for Emergency use only. All bus rosters are full and only in the event of an emergency will a student be allowed to ride a different bus home. The request for a bus pass should come to the main office and will need approval from Mr. Campbell.

• Online Registration: Please remember to complete the Online Registration for your child(ren). This will provide me with updated health information as well as give permission for over the counter medication this school year. Go to Infinite Campus Parent Portal to complete the process.
• Medication: Students are only permitted to carry emergency medication (Epinephrine, Asthma inhalers, and diabetes medication). Any medication to be administered during the school day, should follow our current medication policy.
• Please contact Ms. Jennifer Mikulich with any questions or concerns.

The Downingtown STEM Academy is the third high school in the Downingtown Area School District. The STEM Academy opened in the fall of 2011 at 335 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335.

The Academy is an IB World School offering every student the opportunity to earn an IB Diploma. The curriculum offers Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Pathways. Students are engaged in rigorous, challenging academic work that requires a mindset of growth and effort.

Email: stinfo@dasd.org
Website: https://st.dasd.org/
Location: 335 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA, USA
Phone: 610-269-2420