What is the criteria for admissions to STEM School? We are part of the magnet schools in Hamilton County. Rising 9th grade students apply through the lottery system on the HCDE website between November 1 thru January 31 of their 8th grade year and must provide 2 proofs of residence to HCDE Magnet Office. Rising 10th and 11th grade students may add their name to the waiting list through the STEM School office or HCDE Magnet School office located at Hamilton County Schools central office location. Hamilton County Schools phone number is 423-209-8400.
How do I apply for a rising 9th grade seat? Applications are made available on November 1st through January 31st each school year by following this link: Magnet School Application. Selections are made by a first and secondary lottery draw for all HCDE Magnet Schools.
How does the lottery work? After the application deadline, HCDE will set a date near the end of February for the lottery draw. You may view the lottery draw live online at the www.hcde.org website. The STEM school drawing will be for the 80 available freshmen seats with priority to current student siblings. Siblings must also follow the process and submit an application. Each Hamilton County high school will have a predetermined number of available seats based on school size and ratio. Your student will be drawn based on their zoned high school. *Note: you MUST provide the HCDE Magnet School office your two proofs of residency to assure your student is drawn with their zoned high school. Otherwise, they will be placed into the secondary/general lottery.
My 8th grade child has an older sibling that attends the STEM School. Do they still need to complete a lottery application? Yes. Siblings are given priority in the lottery process. However, if there is not a lottery application, they are not provided an opportunity for a rising 9th grade seat.
My rising 9th grade child was selected. What next? Once students are selected, HCDE will send out acceptance letters and we will not receive any information about the students until the acceptance letters are received back to HCDE.
How do I enroll my rising 10th or 11th grade student? All interested rising 10th and 11th grade students must contact the STEM School office or Magnet School office in order to be added to the waiting list for 10th and 11th grades. Selections for rising 10th and 11th grade students are not completed until the summer. At the end of each school year in May, we evaluate how many spots are open for 10th and 11th grade in the following year and send that information to the Magnet School office. The Magnet School office will select students for interviews and send those names to the STEM school office. From there, the STEM School will set up interviews for each student name sent to us by the Magnet School office. In order for a rising 10th or 11th grade student to be considered for an opening, parents must provide an official transcript to the STEM School office or Magnet School office by June 7 to be considered for the interview process.
What is the registration process? We follow the same dates and procedures for registration as all Hamilton County Schools. You can find those dates on the academic calendar: HCDE Calendars
Do I need to take a tour? STEM School offers tours most Mondays at 1:30 for anyone interested in learning more about us. You must schedule a tour before arriving by contacting the school office at 423-531-6270 or emailing [email protected]. Please let us know your name, a return email address and how many will attend the tour with you.
How does Transportation work for STEM school? Bus transportation is provided by the Hamilton County Department of Education. You can find more information by following this link: Magnet School Transportation