Head of School Update
April 1, 2026 : Issue #32
Mr. Art Campbell, Head of School
Ms. Kelly Stauffer, Admin. Asst. to the Head of School
Spring recess begins next tomorrow, April 2 and ends Monday, April 6. We hope everyone enjoys their time off before the last marking period of the 2025-2026 school year gets under way. We will see everyone on Tuesday, April 7!
Parking Permits: There are many students that applied for a parking permit earlier this year, that have also paid for the permit but have not yet picked up. Our main office staff have reached out to students and families to have those permits picked up. Student drivers should continue to apply for a parking permit, but should know that we are now in a waitlist position for availability of parking permits. If someone has applied for and paid for a parking permit but has not picked up and no longer needs it, they should come see Ms. Sokso or Ms. Stauffer in the main office. This would free up parking permits to those that have been waitlisted. Please be reminded that if you receive a ticket, you should come to the main office.
Please be mindful of allowing enough travel time to arrive to school on time daily. School begins promptly at 8:00 am. To help alleviate the traffic entering Campbell Drive in the morning, Mr. Campbell has been standing at door 3-2 at the Student Commons to assist with getting students into the building when the traffic line is stopped. If you see him standing there, your student can enter through that door. Please be mindful of the traffic as we are doing our very best to get everyone into the building on time and safely.
Upcoming Dates to Remember
April 2 - 6: Spring Recess/No School for students or staff
April 15: LMS Shadow Day (incoming freshmen will visit during the day)
April 16: Class of 2026 Franklin Mint Financial Reality Fair
April 18: Class of 2027 Junior Prom
April 28-May 20: Class of 2026 IB Testing
May 7: NHS Inductions (by invitation only)
May 11-15: Keystone Testing/Avant Stamp Testing Gr. 9 and 10
Course Selection: Thank you to all of the students and families for working hard to complete the course selection process for the 26-27 school year. Going forward any changes to the courses that were selected should be changed by scanning the QR Code at the counseling office, or by clicking the link below:
[Scheduling] STEM Request Changes 26-27 School Year
Taking a Family Trip? Please be reminded that everyone that may be planning a family trip to complete the Request Form for Educational and Family Trips. Once the form is received in the office and approved by Mr. Campbell, attendance will mark accordingly in Infinite Campus.
Attendance is important! Should your student be absent from school, or need an early dismissal, please be reminded that notes should be emailed to stemattendance@dasd.org . Should there be any questions about attendance, please email Ms. Sokso, and she will be able to further assist you.
Many events, including college visits for the senior class during the school day, have been added to our STEM Academy website calendar and will be updated throughout the school year.
On Thursday, March 30, the first of three letter were shared with all families of the Class of 2026. Please take a moment to review Commencement Letter #1.
The second letter will be shared at the beginning of May with additional details. If there are any questions please contact Kelly Stauffer.
Prom Tickets will be on sale April 20-22. Make sure all obligations are taken care of before that time!
Please see the communication with important information for senior class families for the upcoming Safe and Healthy Relationships presentations that will be taking place throughout the month of April. Should there be any questions, please contact Ms. Jennifer Stull, Prevention Specialist. This information was emailed to all families on Thursday, March 26.
The Cap and Gown order for the graduating class has been placed. All orders will be shipped directly to the STEM Academy and will be inventoried and stored in the main office until passed out at graduation practice at the end of the school year. If you did not place the order before the extended deadlines, this will now be included as an obligation and students will not receive tickets until this obligation is fulfilled. To fulfill this obligation any time between now and June follow the steps below:
- Online Ordering steps:Go to: Herff Jones SHOP Grad Products Website.
- Click the Cap and Gown Grad Pack tab (located next to Announcements & Accessories)
- Choose Basic Cap, Gown, Tassel and Stole Package: $35.85 +tax ($38.00 total)
- Includes Cap, Gown, Tassel and Silkscreen Stole. Be sure to enter height and weight information that is requested when you click on the picture of the package. After that information is added, then click add to cart.
Should there be any questions, please contact sbgerhart@herffjones.com
Senior Early Dismissal/Late Arrival Form (Senior Privileges) 25-26: This form grants Early Dismissal/Late Arrival permission for Senior Class students. Students are responsible for printing out this form and obtaining all necessary signatures. Mr. Campbell will provide his signature after all others have been obtained. Once final approval is given, students will receive a notice to come to the office to see Ms. Sokso.
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.
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 you are in need of a work permit, please find the application located 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
Senior Class Families: As you are comparing your student's college options, here are some final things to consider as you review their financial aid packages:
If you still have not completed a FAFSA application, you should do so ASAP at https://www.usa.gov/fafsa
The PA Higher Education Assistance Agency is offering one-on-one virtual FAFSA Completion Workshops on Tuesday April 21 from 5-7PM. Registration is limited!
Refer to the STEM College Resource Drive to review the presentations and tools shared at this fall's DASD Financial Aid Night.
For questions about the Financial Aid appeal process, check out FormSwift's Appeal Letter site for additional information about the financial aid process and access to their free templates for creating a Financial Aid Appeal Letter.
Course Change Request 26-27
Course Selection: Going forward any changes to the courses that were selected should be changed by scanning the QR Code at the counseling office, or by clicking the link below:
2025-2026 School Year
The DASD 2025-2026 was board approved on Wednesday, January 2025.. Please review the school start times as shared on the district website and noted below:
The schedule for the 2025-2026 school year is as follows:
- 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.
Downingtown STEM Academy
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