Okaloosa STEMM Academy receives nomination to National Blue Ribbon Schools

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — The Okaloosa STEMM Academy has been nominated for the 2022-2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program by the Florida Department of Education, the Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) has announced.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public elementary and secondary schools whose students achieve very high levels.

“I am very proud of the STEMM Academy for receiving this nomination,” said Marcus Chambers, OCSD Superintendent of Schools.

“The performance data affirms the hard work of our students and teachers, and their achievement is something we can all be proud of as a community.”

The Okaloosa STEMM Academy in Valparaiso is a public middle school with a focus on science, technology, engineering, math, and medical fields. Due to the rigorous, advanced program of study with high school-level classes offered beginning in 6th grade, students are selected to attend based on a solid academic record of high math and science achievement, the OCSD said.

According to the OCSD, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) nominated STEMM Academy to the United States Department of Education (USDOE) due to exemplary high performance based on the 2021-2022 performance data:

• Earned a school grade of A for the 2021-2022 school year
• Performed, as a whole school, in the top 15% in the state
• Each subgroup (American Indian, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic, White, English Language Learners (ELL), Students with Disabilities (SWD), and Economically Disadvantaged) performed in the top 40% in the state
• For high schools, graduation rate and college and career readiness performed in the top 15% in the state

An announcement of the National Blue Ribbon Schools will be made in September 2023 by the USDOE Secretary of Education.