Our Story
In 2007 the Wauwatosa School District and a dedicated group of parents and teachers set out to pilot a new model of education for the twenty-first century. The Wauwatosa STEM charter school was launched with 42 students and a student waitlist has existed every year since inception. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s accountability report card consistently evaluates our school as “Significantly Exceeds Expectations” and we are among the Wisconsin elementary school leaders in “School Achievement Score” and “School On-Track to Graduation Score.”
The mission of Wauwatosa STEM is to provide an innovative and dynamic learning environment where students are encouraged to navigate their own course. Individual needs are met in a cooperative, supportive learning community through an engaging and challenging curriculum rooted in the sciences, technology, engineering and math. The vision of Wauwatosa STEM is to provide an environment where students are inspired to inquire, investigate and discover the world around them.
Our building, originally constructed in 1924, was rebuilt in 2021. Our new, state of the art building is home to both WSTEM and Wilson Elementary.
Instructional Pillars
WSTEM’s culture and universal instructional practices are rooted in five (5) pillars designed to achieve its vision:
1. Multi-age Instruction
Classrooms are structured to include mixed grade levels (K/1, 2/3, 4/5) for all subjects except math, fostering diverse learning environments and promoting collaboration. Additionally, K-5 engineering groups engage students in weekly challenges, enhancing collaborative skills across grades and building a strong, inclusive school community. This approach supports individualized student growth and learning through ongoing assessments, enabling flexible student grouping and differentiated instruction tailored to each student’s needs.
2. Interdisciplinary Approach
Learning is integrated across multiple subjects under unified themes or topics throughout a specific timeframe. This flexible scheduling ensures that diverse subject-based standards are met concurrently to optimize learning outcomes.
3. Science/Engineering Integration
Integration of Science and Engineering core principles are accomplished through four (4) key constructs:
- The Engineering Design Process: Embedded across disciplines, this process (ask, imagine, plan, create, test, improve) empowers students to innovate and problem-solve creatively.
- Theme-Based Curriculum: Over a two-year cycle, WSTEM aligns its science curriculum with NGSS and WI Science standards, crafting interdisciplinary units that deepen student understanding.
- Specialized Community Days: Three (3) parent/community run and supported engineering group events (e.g., Spooky Lab Day, WSTEM Challenge Day) every two (2) years provide hands-on multisensory learning experiences. Students may work in advance to prepare and create engineering designs to test or implement during these events.
- STEM Field Exposure: Introduction of STEM career pathways and opportunities through parent and community programs to broaden student understanding of the diverse opportunities available in STEM fields. Opportunities are facilitated through guest speakers, virtual field trips, or other firsthand experiences.
4. Authentic Learning Experiences
Intentional learning experiences that create opportunities for students that move them from their comfort zone into a learning zone via three (3) key constructs:
- Place based learning: Immersing students in real-world contexts where they explore, inquire, apply classroom knowledge and extend their learning.
- Hands-on learning: Engaging in direct physical manipulation and experimentation to enhance learning.
- Real world application and problem solving: Application of student knowledge and skills to relevant, authentic, practical situations and challenges. These challenges foster critical thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration. Common curriculums include PLTW, EIE and Lego League.
5. Collaboration and Community
A collaborative and community-focused environment ensures that every student at WSTEM receives support and encouragement from all staff members, contributing to their overall success and well-being. Students are required to work closely in groups and partnerships to achieve shared goals, enhancing their teamwork, communication, and social skills through interactive, multisensory activities that promote problem-solving and critical thinking. Teachers collaborate weekly to refine lesson plans / materials, set curriculum goals, share teaching strategies / best practices and address student needs. Parents and broader school community are provided opportunities and encouraged to engage and support school initiatives.