Applying to the Academy

1. Requirements to be eligible to apply to the STEM Academy
a. Resident of the Downingtown Area School District by January 1 of the applicant's 8th grade year.

b. 8th Grade student at the time of application
c. A minimum of a “C” Average in all core classes in grades 6, 7, & 8
d. Successful completion of Language Level I (Spanish, French, or German) prior to the start of school.

The STEM Academy reserves the option to administer a Level I test to ensure that students have met the world language pre-requisite.

2. Written Evaluation
a. Three essays, ten points for each = 30 total points
b. Each response must be in essay format with a clear thesis and supporting evidence.
c. Two essays will be completed online and one essay will be completed in-school (at your current school) at the end of the school day as per schedule above.

3. Recommendation
a. Teacher Recommendation= 12 points
b. Each candidate requests one recommendation from a current or former 6th, 7th, or 8th grade teacher. This recommendation is submitted electronically.

4. Scoring
Each application is blind scored by a team of Downingtown Area School District professionals.


Total Points= 42 points

2025-2026 STEM Academy Application Process 

Students may apply beginning September 29, 2024.  The application will close October 20, 2024 at 9:00 pm.

Admission notifications will be sent out in January 2025.

 Essay # 3 Sessions

All students are required to complete a 3rd in person essay.  The 3rd essay will be completed at either DMS, or LMS, depending on which side of the district the student resides.  This takes place the week after the application is closed.  Students/parents will be sent an email, based on the information provided on the application, telling them which date and time their student is scheduled to complete the 3rd in person essay.  If students cannot make the in person session at their middle school that they are scheduled for due to illness, one final session will be made available on the Saturday of that same week at the STEM Academy, beginning promptly at 9:00 am.  Non-public students (students attending private schools) will be invited to attend the session on the side of the district in which they reside, or the Saturday session.

All applicants are required to complete a 3rd essay, written in person.  The schedule for completing the 3rd essay is as follows:

Downingtown Middle School (DMS) Applicants:  Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 2:30 pm at Downingtown Middle School.

Lionville Middle School (LMS) Applicants:  Thursday, October 24, 2024  at 2:30 pm at Lionville Middle School.

Non-public school students/make-up sessions:  Saturday, October 26, 2024 beginning promptly at 9:00 am at the STEM Academy. 

**Non-public school students are welcome to choose to take the in person essay on the side of the district in which they reside.