Dear Wilson STEM Academy Families,

As the principal of Wilson STEM Academy, I am excited to continue my work with each of you in my new role and extend a warm welcome for the upcoming 23-24 school year. We expect it to be an exciting year, full of challenges, rewards, and growth opportunities. We look forward to helping our students discover their full potential. Wilson STEM Academy is a new "partial magnet" middle school that opened in August 2018. Our school has a strong commitment to excellence and educating the whole child. Our core values include choice, community and vision. We want our students to be fearless risk-takers and creative problem-solvers. Our school features a beautiful state-of-the-art facility, equipped with the latest technology and spaces conducive to providing innovative learning opportunities, thanks to a multi-million dollar renovation. Wilson STEM Academy also has a dynamic staff committed to fully addressing the unique academic, emotional, and social needs of our middle school scholars. In conjunction with Project Lead The Way, a nationally recognized computer science education organization, the Wilson STEM Academy curriculum includes such computer science courses as Design and Modeling, Flight & Space, Automation and Robotics, App Creators, and Computer Science for Innovators and Makers. Computer science principles (problem solving, critical thinking, and teamwork skills) are integrated into all other classes as well. In addition to a robust computer science curriculum, our students have multiple opportunities to engage in project-based interdisciplinary learning, where they will simultaneously work to master grade-level standards in English, social studies, science, and math. Blended or computer-aided learning helps to ensure that we can personalize learning plans for our scholars to account for their strengths and needs in reading, writing, and math. We want our students to leave our school fully prepared to access a college-preparatory high school program. We also have a comprehensive arts program featuring instrumental music, chorus, visual art, dance, television/film production, and world drumming. Our after-school sports program offers football, volleyball, cheerleading, basketball, softball, track, soccer, baseball, and golf. In addition, all of our scholars are part of a weekly mentor circle program focused on building a deeper sense of community with their peers. Finally, our scholars have access to numerous leadership-development programming including Be Bold.

Wilson STEM Academy is a part of the Inclusive Practices Pilot Cohort, using co-teaching to provide special education students with specially designed instruction in the general education setting.

Thank you for choosing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Wilson STEM Academy.

Patrice McCauley, Principal