The 25-26 FCHS STEM Application is live! Click the link below. :)

Application Link

Acceptance emails will be sent out on FRIDAY NOVEMBER 22nd!

APPLICATIONS DUE NOVEMBER 15th by 11:59PM

** Pay close attention to character limits for the open ended questions. It will not cut you off automatically but we will not see anything that is entered after the limit. 

** The essay option is still present. HOWEVER, a video MUST be provided for an application to be reviewed. You may voice record your essay if you do not want your face on camera. 

Please email me at mhatfield@forsyth.k12.ga.us with any questions! :) Thank you!

Application VIDEO Instructions 

The STEM academy would like to give you the opportunity to express yourself in a more
creative manner than just an essay. The following rules and regulations must be followed in
order for your video to be properly judged.
The following are recommended steps to follow for your video upload. Please be aware that if
you do not follow these guidelines, your video may not be considered.

**ALL students MUST submit a video. Applications WILL NOT be reviewed if video is not submitted. You do not have to have your face on camera but strongly encouraged. 

Sixty Second Video Submission

STEP ONE: Get the APP
● First, you will need to create a Google account. It is best if you use a personal Gmail
account. This account can be your parents or other family members.
● Second, you should now download and install the Official Youtube application. You can
do this on your iOS or Android device (Tablets and cellular devices are recommended).
Please make sure you have the most up-to-date version to ensure continuity.
● Finally, you will want to open the application and find the “camera” or “+” button that will
allow you to directly record a video. Once this button is pressed, your device will ask for
a few permissions, in order to use your device’s microphone, camera, and even memory
space. You are even given the option to choose video clips from your device’s camera
roll. This will be discussed further in the following steps.

STEP TWO: Requirements and suggested techniques
● Your video can not be longer than 60 seconds!!! 
● Film in Landscape (holding the phone horizontal)
● The use of a tripod is greatly encouraged (Be creative if you don’t have one...)
● Feel free to shoot multiple video clips and/or use video editing software to improve the
production value of your submission. (Don’t let production detract from content)
● No, you don’t have to use any editing software.

STEP THREE: What to record!
● We would like you to start your video by saying...
○ Your full name
○ What school you currently attend
● Then, we would like for you to explain why you would be an asset to the STEM Academy in a unique and creative way. 

STEP FOUR: The Upload
● Once you have completed your recording and are satisfied with your recorded content
go ahead and click the “Upload button.”
● Here it will ask for...
○ Title: Your title must follow this format...
■ Lastname_Firstname_STEMapp2526
○ Description: You should provide a brief description of your video and/or an outline
of what the viewer is seeing in your recording.
○ Privacy Setting: It is imperative that you set the privacy settings of your
video to “Unlisted” This is crucial to the accurate judging of your video
and safety reasons.

● Once you have the above fields filled out please proof read your description and verify
that your upload is titled properly.
● Now, that you are sure you are ready to upload...
○ CLICK UPLOAD! 
● Make sure you review your video before submitting the link in the official application.
● Once your video is uploaded, Google will create a unique link that you will need to
share in the appropriate blank of the online STEM application.
○ There is a button in the upper right-hand corner that looks like three vertical dots,
click this button.
○ A window will pop-up and one of the options is the “Share...”function.
○ You will then want to choose the “Copy Link” button
○ Then, you can go to the application or a messaging application and “copy” the
link into the appropriate text field.

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

The Forsyth Central STEM Academy is a four year comprehensive program, which fosters a student centered learning community, with a culture of innovation and adaptive risk-taking, for the purpose of solving complex, non-routine, real-world problems.

 The integration of academic disciplines, combined with the STEM Biotechnology and Engineering pathways, allow students to develop transferable skill sets, aimed at maximizing not only a student’s intellectual and technological skills, but also their soft skills in communication, collaboration, service, and leadership. The Forsyth Central STEM Academy is home to roughly 250-300 STEM students grades 9-12 from across the district.

 Since its founding in 2011, the STEM Academy has used a competitive admission process to select students from around the Forsyth County School District. Applicants usually represent the top 10-25% of the feeder schools from around the districts and 60% of our population are students who are attending the STEM Academy out of district. 

​Students are selected, much like a college application process, by a team of reviewers who evaluate applicants based on grades, test scores, teacher recommendations, student organization, motivation, demonstrated interest in STEM subjects, submitted essay responses, and student video submission. This is a competitive admissions process and each year the number of highly qualified applicants has increased.

     Prospective Students

• Applicants must be in the eighth grade and a full time resident of Forsyth County.
• ​Applicants are accepted from homeschool and private school, if the students reside in the Forsyth County.
•  Since it is a 4 year program, students may only enter the STEM Academy in the 9th grade.
•  Applicants must be on the "Advanced" or " Accelerated" math track to apply to the Academy.
• ​​As an entering freshmen, students should be recommended for either:
  • Honors Geometry
  • ACC Geometry B/ Algebra II