Purposeful Change
We are teachers on a mission to create an innovative school that will change the face of education.
How TDI Stem Academy Stands Above
ENRICHMENT
Focused attention to core subjects
Enrichment completes education, encompassing:
Critical thinking
Leadership skills
Soft skills
Career opportunities
Weekly Innovation Labs
90+ lab choices
Work at your own pace
COMMUNITY
Family-like atmosphere
Supportive network for all students
Students thrive when they feel:
Connected
Valued
Understood
When students feel they belong, they:
Engage more in their learning
Experience less stress
Build lifelong skills like empathy
and collaboration
TIME
Every minute utilized
5 block schedule, 75 min each
This allows for:
Extended class periods
Time for in-depth exploration
of subjectsHands-on activities
Collaborative projects
This balanced approach:
Promotes academic excellence
Supports the holistic development
of studentsPrepares them for future challenges
Creating Family
The first goal of TDI STEM Academy is to rebuild the team concept in our school. Teaming, popular in the ’90s, worked because it was simple and effective: a small group of interdisciplinary teachers shared the same students, fostering vital connections among teachers, students, and both groups together. Though phased out in the early 2000s, it’s what’s best for students, so it became a cornerstone of our STEM program.
This close-knit family thrives together—working, celebrating, and learning as one. The sense of belonging it creates is unmatched. Happy kids learn better, and happy teachers teach better. Students eagerly come to school, and teachers welcome them with open arms. Even required classes now carry greater meaning, with students feeling accepted, supported, and loved.
Unique Scheduling
The second key element is a flexible block schedule. Our 3-day week of 76-minute classes matches the standard classroom minutes of a traditional five-day week but allows for deeper, more active learning. Teachers adapted their methods to create dynamic, fluid lessons that keep students engaged.
Flexibility is crucial. If a topic proves challenging, teachers can extend the time
spent on it, adjusting as needed. This approach is especially effective for subjects like science, where introducing concepts, conducting experiments, and assessing understanding can happen in one seamless session—something impossible in
a 45-minute class.
So, what happens on the remaining two days? Innovation. These days open the
door to creative, diverse learning opportunities that could become transformative moments for students. It’s a chance to step outside the box and make a meaningful difference in their academic lives.
Going Above
The second key element is a flexible block schedule. Our three-day week of 76-minute classes matches the standard classroom minutes of a traditional five-day week but allows for deeper, more active learning. Teachers adapted their methods to create dynamic, fluid lessons that keep students engaged.
Flexibility is crucial. If a topic proves challenging, teachers can extend the time
spent on it, adjusting as needed. This approach is especially effective for subjects like science, where introducing concepts, conducting experiments, and assessing understanding can happen in one seamless session—something impossible in a
45-minute class.
So, what happens on the remaining two days? Innovation. These days open the
door to creative, diverse learning opportunities that could become transformative moments for students. It’s a chance to step outside the box and make a meaningful difference in their academic lives.
Imagine a classroom where students did the following: came to class prepared to engage with the material, took advantage of the learning opportunities during class, created meaningful learning experiences for themselves … and realized that they control their learning and that their actions, not intelligence, determines their success. (Siegesmund, 2017)