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.
Curriculum
Our students’ individual needs are met in a cooperative, supportive learning community through an engaging and challenging curriculum rooted in the sciences and technology. The WSTEM curriculum is distinctive from any other available in our district, with the focus of science, technology, engineering, and math infused into the study of literacy, writing, mathematics, and social studies.
We focus on 21st century learning skills that include new and innovative approaches to teaching both content and lifelong skills. This focus utilizes a variety of techniques for students to build their own understanding through real world problem solving and collaboration. It provides an environment that promotes creativity and innovation.
1:1 Technology
According to a US Department of Commerce report, “The greatest advancements in our society from medicine to mechanics have come from the minds of those interested in or studied in the areas of STEM.”
There continues to be a significant shortage of qualified science, technology, engineering, and math college graduates to fill these careers. The United States economy and future success in playing a role in addressing our global challenges require that we meet this challenge. WSTEM seeks to address this as early as kindergarten by integrating technology in the classroom on a 1:1 basis.
Outdoor Classroom
Located across the street from our school, overlooking Honey Creek, the Outdoor Classroom provides a living laboratory for year round activities for Wauwatosa STEM students, the district, and surrounding communities. The interactive and innovative outdoor classroom supports the research that has proven students better retain math, science, language arts, and other skills that incorporate their environment and use of all senses.
Frequently Asked Questions
The WSTEM application window begins in February for each subsequent school year. More information is available on the How to Apply page.
A $100 per family annual technology contribution is suggested to sustain a 1:1 technology ratio. The contribution is voluntary and confidential. Families who may not be able to make this contribution can confidentially opt out. Students do not own the devices, nor are they expected to bring them home.
To see the results of WSTEM students on state assessments, please view our accountability report card from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction:
Students at WSTEM spend time in weekly art, music, gym and Spanish classes which is consistent with all students in the Wauwatosa School District. Our innovative STEM curriculum is not at the expense of arts, physical education, and Spanish language education.