Response to Horry County Schools program raises selection questions

The success of Horry County Schools’ STEM program has bred concern from some parents who want to see their children land a spot in next year’s limited class, but district officials say admissions guidelines will not change from last year.

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and it has proved to be a popular option at schools around the country for steering students into those academic areas.

HCS started its STEM program last fall at the Academy for the Arts, Science and Technology, receiving 200 applications for the 100 available seats. The program begins in ninth grade, and interest – and competition – have heated up for this year’s 150 available spots, with more than 450 applications in before the deadline.

“We never anticipated three times the number [of applications] we’d accept,” said HCS Superintendent Cindy Elsberry. “It reflects the parents’ desire for options for their children and the success of the program.”

Parent concerns about the STEM selection process were discussed at Friday’s Myrtle Beach Advisory Board meeting by board members and principals from the Myrtle Beach cluster schools. Some principals said their parents were frustrated because they didn’t know the criteria for getting their students into the program.

There also were questions about whether the next STEM program selections will represent all different types of students and if slots will be filled equitably from among the nine attendance areas. Robin Jones, principal at AAST, said applications already had been received from all middle schools in the district.

Elsberry said the selection process for the next STEM class will not change from last year. She said criteria are based partially on academics, but that is not the only one.

“We certainly want a student who is achieving, but there is a heavy weight on interest, those who are truly interested in science or math and have shown that during their school career,” Elsberry said.

The application for the program asks for the student’s hobbies and interests, and activities in which they’ve participated. It also asks about goals and aspirations, and why they want to attend AAST.

Friday was the deadline for applications to be submitted for all district program schools, including STEM, Scholars Academy, International Baccalaureate, Early College High School, AAST and the Academy for Technology and Academics. Originally, the end of February was the target for acceptance letters, but Elsberry said that will probably be moved forward.

“We will establish a team to go through all the applications, which is going to take some time,” she said. “Sometimes, you have to go back and regroup.”

Some students apply for multiple programs and then have to choose which to attend if they are accepted by more than one. Elsberry said the district may hold off on the other program selections so that the process can be simultaneous and no one is knocked out of an opportunity.

The growing STEM program could present challenges down the road at AAST, which originally was designed for a smaller population and half-day schedules, but Elsberry said it is definitely too early to think about future expansion to a second location.

“But we will respond,” she said. “This is a loud message to us that we create this specialized response to what parents want.”