Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

The Help Group Opens Nation's First STEM High School for Students with Social and Learning Differences

  • 08/24/15

Los Angeles — STEM3 Academy, a new innovative high school that’s the first of its kind in the country, is now open serving students with social and learning differences with a passion for science and technology within the greater Los Angeles area. The mission of STEM3 Academy is to connect the particular strengths of students with social and learning differences, including autism, with an innovative and rigorous STEM curriculum that positions students for future success. 

STEM3 Academy is the newest school operated by The Help Group, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit dedicated to serving children, adolescents and young adults with special needs related to autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, ADHD, developmental delays, abuse and emotional problems. The school is unique in providing a rich and varied curriculum designed to develop the natural skills and abilities of its students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-related disciplines.

“The Help Group is thrilled to open this truly unique school. The opening of STEM3 Academy promises to change life options for students,” said Dr. Susan Berman, COO of The Help Group. “The next generation of scientists and engineers are sitting in our classrooms. We’re helping these students realize their full potential and preparing them to fill high-quality jobs.”

As many as 85 percent of adults with social and learning differences are either unemployed or underemployed, yet there will be 8.65 million STEM-related jobs available by 2018. STEM3 Academy uniquely prepares its students to take advantage of the opportunities available in STEM-related fields after graduation.

“At STEM3 Academy, we want to address the difficulty students sometimes have post high school by developing their 21st century skills,” said Dr. Ellis Crasnow, director of STEM3 Academy. “Our curriculum integrates social interaction, communication and participation to prepare students with social differences to take advantage of a multitude of opportunities in STEM-related fields with confidence and success.”

Both required and elective classes encourage participation and cooperation among students as they ready themselves for a world in which collaborating and making presentations are as essential as keyboarding and coding. Students will develop this literacy through in-class projects as well as internships, senior projects and personalized education plans.

STEM3 Academy also offers an award-winning robotics program, computer programming, wide range of AP classes, digital arts and videography, internships and a state-of-the-art Innovation Lab.

STEM3 Academy offers open enrollment through the year, a residential program to house out-of-state students, and door-to-door transportation for local Southern California students. For more information or to schedule a tour, visit www.stem3academy.org.

About The Help Group
Founded in 1975, The Help Group is the largest, most innovative and comprehensive nonprofit of its kind in the United States serving children with special needs related to autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, ADHD, developmental delays, abuse and emotional problems. The Help Group's nine specialized day schools offer pre-K through high school programs for more than 1,500 students. Its broad range of mental health and therapy services, child abuse and residential programs extends its reach to more than 6,000 children and their families each year.

Featured

  • Photo courtesy of Kraus-Anderson

    Concordia College Completes Memorial Auditorium Renovations

    Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., recently completed a $2.5-million renovation project to Memorial Auditorium, a news release reports. The college partnered with Kraus-Anderson for the project’s construction and ICON Architectural Group for its design.

  • Virginia Tech Tops Out New College of Engineering Building

    Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., recently celebrated the topping out of Mitchell Hall, which will soon stand as the largest College of Engineering building on campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with Skanska on the 285,500-square-foot facility, which has an expected completion date of winter 2028.

  • Montclair State University Starts Construction on $120M STEM Building

    Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., recently broke ground on a new $120-million Interdisciplinary Science Building, according to university news. The university partnered with HoK Architects for the project’s design, and it’s scheduled to open in time for the 2028–29 academic year.

  • Back-to-School Playground Safety: 7 Common Hazards to Look for After Summer Break

    As summer break comes to an end, school administrators have plenty to prepare before students return. While classrooms, hallways and common areas often receive attention during all the back-to-school preparations, the playground should not be overlooked. Months of weather exposure, storms, and regular wear can leave behind hazards that may not be immediately noticeable.