How this STEM school is shattering stereotypes

At STEM³ Academy, sticking to the norm doesn’t work.

In fact, the school was launched to do just the opposite.

“Our emphasis is on learning versus teaching,” said Dr. Ellis Crasnow, the school’s director. “Our students learn by doing, experiencing and constructing rather than just sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher.”

STEM³ Academy largely focuses on “STEM” subjects: science, technology, engineering and math). Teachers there use a “flipped classroom” model. This means that time in class is used to complete projects and homework assignments, while time at home is spent reviewing the next day’s lessons.

The Los Angeles school took an out-of-the-box approach for a specific reason: All of its students have a learning challenge, like autism-spectrum disorder, Asperger’s and ADHD.

The students are especially gifted in subjects like math and science, but have fallen behind in their social and communication skills. (The curriculum also includes traditional subjects like English, art and language.)

“As far as we know, we’re the nation’s only STEM-curriculum school for students with these needs,” said Crasnow. “Our goal is to help them realize their potential for achievement in school, in college and later in a STEM-based career.”

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STEM³ Academy is part of The Help Group, a nonprofit that runs 10 special-needs focused schools in the L.A. area. It opened as a high school with 30 students in August 2015. As word spread, Crasnow started getting calls from parents nationwide. Two months later, it added middle school. The school now has 60 students in grades 6-12.

About 75% of the students at STEM³ are placed by a district program (which pays the tuition). Otherwise, tuition is $35,000.

STEM³ Academy has an innovation lab that’s equipped with a CNC machine, 3D printer, CAD machines and electronics. It also offers programs in robotics, entrepreneurship and programming. Much of the learning is based on group work to facilitate social interaction (the students sit at large communal tables).

“The statistics are telling,” said Crasnow. “We know that 34% of students with these learning challenges that go on to college chose STEM majors.”

Some large companies — including defense contractor Raytheon (RTN) and aerospace and defense technology company Northrop Grumman (NOC) — have already approached the school about potentially working with the students.

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Terry Whiteside’s son Cullen is a junior at the STEM³. He was previously in two other schools in The Help Group’s network. Whiteside said Cullen, who has autism, is gifted in math and programming, but struggled socially before coming to STEM³.

“It’s been a big change,” she said. “Before he wouldn’t talk much about his day. Now he comes home and has conversations with me about what he did at school.”

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She compared this to his performance growing up — his standardized test results were poor, even though she knew how bright he was.

“What’s so amazing to us as parents is how far Cullen has grown since we started the educational journey,” she said, adding that he tested in the 99th percentile of the PSAT and has had interest from several top-rate colleges.

Cullen symbolizes what STEM³ Academy is trying to achieve.

“The stats regarding the post high school success of students with special needs is very poor. 80% to 90% of them are unemployed or underemployed,” said Crasnow. “These are horrific numbers and our goal is to change them.”

Crasnow said STEM³ Academy will become a K-12 school by the end of the year.

“We want our students to be able to stand side by side with their typical peers after they graduate,” he said.

NewsportuMoney (New York) First published February 9, 2016: 8:10 AM ET