My thirteen year old son JT was very intrigued by a pamphlet we received in our mailbox last fall while in his eighth grade year at Crestwood Middle School. It advertised a new year-round public high school called Bio-Med Science Academy that focused on a STEM+M curriculum: science, technology, engineering, math plus medical. It described a special style of learning involving real-world problem solving located on the college campus of NEOMED in Rootstown. Both JT and I were eager to learn more about this unique school, open to any student in Ohio, so we went online and signed up for one of the informational sessions in December.
We weren’t quite sure what to expect because it sounded very different from the high schools we were familiar with. However, we were pleasantly surprised by this opportunity that had literally knocked on our door. JT was impressed with the small class sizes (initial class of around 70 and his grade would only be the second class in the school), the challenging courses including four years of Mandarin Chinese, the virtual learning aspect (meaning we would be buying him his very own laptop), and most important, eating lunch every day in a college cafeteria!
However, JT had a tough decision to make because Crestwood High School also had a lot to offer. His father and many other family members graduated from Crestwood with positive experiences. In choosing Bio-Med, JT would be leaving the comfort of his friends and a familiar learning environment. The most difficult part of this decision was that this would be his one chance to attend, as the school only enrolls freshman. He needed to make a four year commitment without ever experiencing the traditional high school atmosphere.
Even though we were still undecided, we applied during the enrollment period in January (we both were required to write essays). We waited anxiously for the news because if more than 100 kids applied, the school would hold a blind lottery. In February, we found out that he had been accepted along with 118 other students! Luckily, the school decided not to have the blind lottery, but instead accepted everyone.
We were happy to hear in May that the school became an official Stem school, meaning he could participate in sports and extra-curricular activities at Crestwood. Also, we confirmed that Crestwood would provide bus transportation, even on days when Crestwood schools weren’t in session. My husband and I decided to leave the decision up to JT, and after many discussions of weighing the pros and cons of the two schools, he decided that he was ready to commit to Bio-Med.
JT has been in school since August 19, and so far he is enjoying it. The first week of school was spent at the Portage County Fair so that the students could spend time getting to know each other. He has made many new friends, and I was able to meet his teachers last week at the open house. We are excited to see what new possibilities these four years will bring!