Cleveland

MC²STEM High School

Thanks to Alexis de Tocqueville’s 1835 publication of “Democracy in America,” the young City of Cleveland became known as “The Forrest City” because it was a “highly sophisticated society amid a heavily forested environment”. Today, Cleveland holds many nicknames including “The New American City”, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Capital of the World,” and the “Comeback City”, among others.

As its nicknames suggest, Cleveland has gained national prominence for using public-private partnerships to drive downtown revitalization and urban renaissance. And community leaders aren’t just using these impacting partnerships to transform the city; they’re applying similar strategies to transform public education.

Toward that end, a strong coalition of public-private partners have come together under the leadership of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to launch two STEM high schools that are set to open in August 2008: Metropolitan Cleveland Consortium for STEM (MC²STEM) High School (funded by the STEM Subcommittee of the Partnership for Continued Learning and featured below) and the Design Lab Early College High School (funded by OSLN partner, the KnowledgeWorks Foundation).

The MC²STEM hub serves as the nucleus of STEM education activity. The public-private partnership includes the Cleveland First Ring Superintendent’s Collaborative, Eaton Corporation, General Electric, RPM International, Case-Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, Cleveland Foundation and The George Gund Foundation, to name a few.

Through the MC²STEM Hub, these partners have joined forces to create a unique school that is year-round and allows students to learn at multiple sites or “Field Campuses”.

School Snapshot

What is the core value of the MC²STEM High School?
“That the teaching and engagement of students in their own learning must reflect a clear and evidence-based strategy that expands the role of the teacher substantially, from someone who focuses just on subject matter to someone who focuses on students, including the larger context in which they live.”

Who can attend the MC²STEM High School?
Students in grades 9-12 who live in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) and within the 15 First Ring School Districts can attend. The first year of enrollment will be for 9^th grade students only.

What makes MC²STEM High School different?
The MC²STEM High School has adopted a year-round school calendar. Students will have 10-week quarters followed by three-week breaks. The student experience differs each year:

• Years one and two students participate in 10-week internship in various STEM fields.
• Years one, two and three students attend classes in the morning and attend internships or fellowships in the afternoon.
• Year three students participate in a 40-week fellowship experience.
• Year four students dually-enroll in early college or an early apprenticeship program.

What are the school’s teaching and learning philosophies?
The school curriculum is interdisciplinary and includes the following components: STEM curriculum, the Humanities, The Arts and Design, Internships, Co-Curricular Experiences and Health and Wellness. Workgroups – including representatives from STEM-related fields, post-secondary education, PreK-12 education and key stakeholders such as families and students – are working together to build the curriculum.

When does the recruitment start for both teachers and students?
The school is currently taking applications for incoming 9th grade students as well as faculty. Students can apply online at www.mc2stemhub.org and all teacher applicants are required to apply through CMSD Human Resources (Click here).

When will the school open its doors?
Students in grade 9 will begin in fall 2008. Each year a grade will be added until fall 2011 when all grades 9-12 are a part of the school.