Academics Overview
Where Rigor Meets
Real-World Purpose
A college-preparatory curriculum built around two industry pathways, mastery-based grading, and the belief that every student deserves to graduate ready — not just done.
A College-Prep Program Built for the Future
STEM Academy students choose their pathway in 9th grade and spend four years in a cohorted learning community — taking core academic courses alongside peers who share their career interests. Every student takes four years of math and science, and nearly all courses offer honors credit aligned with UC/CSU A–G requirements.
Students explore principles of engineering design, computer science, and applied mathematics. Coursework integrates the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Engineering sequence with rigorous academic content.
- PLTW Engineering curriculum
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD) & prototyping
- Senior capstone engineering project
- Industry mentorships & internships
Students pursue a healthcare and life-sciences sequence that prepares them for careers in medicine, biotechnology, and public health. The pathway is built around PLTW Biomedical Science courses.
- PLTW Biomedical Science series
- Human Body Systems & Medical Interventions
- Clinical partnership with Kaiser Permanente
- Biomedical capstone research project
Your Academic Journey
Every year builds on the last — from foundational skills to independent research and real-world impact.
Mastery Grading — Equity Through Excellence
At STEM Academy, grades reflect what students know and can do — not test anxiety, extra credit, or points-chasing. Our mastery system is built for growth, revision, and genuine understanding.
STEM Academy uses Mastery Grading in order to promote equity and excellence.
What is Mastery Grading?
Mastery Grading measures students' proficiency in well-defined course objectives on a 4 point scale.
Mastery Grading allows students to:
- Demonstrate progress towards their expertise in Learning Targets (LTs) through a variety of assignments such as projects, essays and tests
- Receive constructive feedback & revise work to develop a growth mindset and master content
- Be assessed more transparently
Mastery Grading Scale
The Gradebook
Each course's gradebook will contain several categories. These categories are determined by the Essential Knowledge and Skills required to show mastery in that course. The Gradebook will also contain categories for the Habit of Accountability and one or more School-Wide Learner Outcomes. Students will be given a variety of assignments in order to show mastery. Each assignment is evaluated on a 4 point scale based on specific criteria explained in a rubric designed by the teacher.
(A sample Parent/Student grade view is provided on the back)
STEM School-Wide Learner Outcomes
STEM Academy Graduates are:
- Self-Directed Learners
- Communicators, Documenters, and Presenters
- Designers, Builders and Testers
- Digitally and Technically Literate Learners
Incomplete Assignments
When a student does not turn in an assignment, it will be marked as Incomplete. At the time of the progress report card or final report card, all incompletes will be considered evidence of lack of mastery unless the student has made previous arrangements with the instructor.
Habit of Accountability
Some assignments also receive a Habit of Accountability score in addition to an EKS score. This score only reflects whether the assignment was turned in on time and completed fully. These scores can not be made up.
Sample Mastery Rubric
| 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mastery Description | |||
| Evidence demonstrates mastery and goes beyond what was taught in class through in-depth inferences and applications. | Evidence demonstrates understanding of both simple and complex ideas. | Evidence demonstrates basic understanding. No major errors or omissions in regards to simple details, but limited understanding of more complex ideas / details. | Evidence demonstrates partial understanding or partial knowledge of simple details. |
Sample Parent/Student View of Grades
The overall score at the top is calculated by proportionally averaging the course category scores (EKS's, Habit of Accountability and others). Each category contributes to the final grade differently according to its weight.
STEM Academy of Hollywood — Official Mastery Grading Rubric
Honors Credit for Nearly Every Course
Students who want additional academic challenge can earn honors credit in the majority of core courses. Honors designations are reflected on transcripts and strengthen college applications — without being a separate "track." All students are encouraged to reach for it.
Built for University Admission
Every required course at STEM Academy is aligned with the University of California and California State University A–G requirements. Graduating from STEM means you're already qualified to apply to the UC and CSU system.