Stockbridge High School Earns Prestigious Cognia STEM Certification

 

 

HENRY COUNTY, GA – Stockbridge High School (SHS) was recently awarded Cognia STEM Certification, becoming the first high school in the district to earn this distinguished honor.

Cognia is a globally recognized nonprofit improvement organization that accredits and certifies education providers worldwide and is dedicated to helping institutions grow learners, teachers, and leaders.

Cognia STEM certification is available to Cognia-accredited institutions and those seeking accreditation and “recognizes schools, systems, programs, and providers that demonstrate a strong and effective STEM focus.”

The Path to Certification

The prioritization of STEM education at SHS is embedded in its Mission to advance the lives of students through the power of STEM and purpose-driven actions and its Vision to be supportive, safe, forward-thinking, and connected to a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students by leveraging access to and opportunities for a high-quality STEM environment.

In striving for these objectives, SHS has embraced initiatives that enhance student engagement and experience in STEM, expanding those efforts over the last two years to include the pursuit of Cognia STEM Certification.

Cognia’s STEM Certification Standards provide criteria that form the foundational elements of a high-quality STEM program within a school or system and contain concepts that guide the implementation of high-quality STEM practices and processes.

Institutions receive certification after meeting Cognia’s 10 STEM Standards, which include the following rigorous specifications:

• Learners engage in STEM learning experiences that integrate all STEM disciplines with an emphasis on processes and practices associated with STEM.
• Professional staff members and leaders participate in an ongoing system of STEM-specific professional learning.
• Leaders engage a diverse network of community partners and stakeholders in order to support and sustain STEM programs and initiatives.
• Leaders ensure that all stakeholders have ongoing opportunities to access information and learn about STEM implementation.
• Learners demonstrate their learning through performance-based assessments and have opportunities to develop self-assessment and self-monitoring skills.

Cognia’s certification requirements further ensure a quality STEM program that is thoroughly embedded in and supported by the institution, defines clear expectations for STEM learning outcomes, includes integrated activities within and beyond the school day, and focuses on performance-based demonstrations of learning.

SHS began the accreditation process in February 2023, which included understanding the requirements for certification, establishing STEM goals, conducting extensive research, visiting other STEM-certified schools, and nurturing STEM excellence across campus.

The school’s development of its “Design Thinking Process” is a strong indicator of its commitment to establishing a vibrant STEM culture. The process, while not unique to SHS, inspired a tailored version to guide students through a conceptual framework that includes defining a problem, researching, planning, creating solutions to real-life challenges, testing proposed solutions, and communicating learning.

Nurturing a STEM Culture

Targeted initiatives have promoted high-quality instruction and enhanced the school’s STEM curriculum and extracurricular activities to increase interest and participation in STEM pathways.

SHS offers unique experiences, immersing students in STEM learning through various programs during and beyond the regular school day. Extracurricular options include clubs, competitions, and summer camps.

In-class and extended day activities provide students with advanced and impactful learning opportunities, including hands-on experiments in which they collect and analyze data and use advanced technology to support their investigations.

The intensive curriculum also includes regular peer review and self-assessment sessions that help to foster a deeper understanding of STEM concepts and practices.

To support highly qualified instruction, SHS STEM instructors and coordinators participate in ongoing, high-impact professional development opportunities that have yielded successful student outcomes and contributed to the Cognia certification. 

The focus on STEM also led to the launch of SHS’ inaugural STEM Expo in March 2025. The event, which included students from Stockbridge Elementary and Middle schools, focuses on STEM innovation, exploration, and dynamic learning, empowering SHS students as they develop communication and presentation skills and introducing younger learners to STEM options and outcomes.

SHS also held its first STEM Night early this year, where students showcased innovations in sound and frequencies and their impact on mood and work production.

“This is an exciting time for our students as well as the entire Stockbridge High School community,” said SHS Principal Dr. James Thornton. “Our students are engaging in collaborative, inquiry-driven learning experiences that emphasize problem-solving, critical thinking, and real-world application. Nothing makes me prouder than to be able to say that our faculty, staff, and administrators are forging a future of thinkers and problem solvers who will help shape the world.”

The school’s comprehensive approach to advancing STEM education and a schoolwide commitment to professional development have translated to improved performance in STEM coursework. One recent example is the school’s 18-percentage-point increase in biology scores over the previous school year based on the Georgia Milestones Assessment scores released Aug. 8.

“Congratulations to Stockbridge High School on its incredible accomplishments,” said Henry County Schools Superintendent John Pace III. “Cognia STEM Certification reflects hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to embracing challenges as growth opportunities, which ultimately paved the way for this distinction. Our students are developing critical skills that will serve them throughout HCS and lay the foundation for college, career, and life – proving that ‘Bright Futures Begin in Henry County Schools.’”

Community-Wide Endeavor

The district’s 2021-2026 Community-Inspired Strategic Plan also reflects the community’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations for a robust STEM curriculum, including the opening of the district’s state-of-the-art STEM high school in 2027. Not only has HCS implemented impactful initiatives toward that goal, but it has also cultivated key partnerships to ensure the viability of its STEM objectives. 

Similarly, collaborations between SHS and regional STEM practitioners and experts have further empowered students by providing opportunities and access that have enhanced teaching and learning and enabled rewarding STEM immersion experiences.

The school’s extensive list of partners includes Clayton State University, the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Georgia Power, Georgia State University, Grady Memorial Hospital, Piedmont Henry Hospital, Southern Crescent Technical College, and the University of Georgia Griffin Campus.

In addition, students showcase their innovations through a partnership with the Atlanta Science Festival at Piedmont Park and learn sustainable farming practices and participate in farmers market activities through a collaboration with Atlanta Harvest farm located in Ellenwood.

Internships, mentorship programs, and work-based learning provide hands-on experience and access to industry settings and professional-grade technology. Partnerships with major health care institutions also introduce students to biotechnology-focused externships.

“Students in our agriscience and health care science pathways, in particular, have many opportunities for STEM growth,” Dr. Thornton added. “We plan to become number one in agriscience and health care science instruction, nurturing effective relationships with Research One universities such as Clemson and Georgia Tech and sending our best and brightest directly into their programs.”

“The Cognia STEM certification earned by Stockbridge High School is a remarkable achievement that speaks volumes about the school’s students, leadership, and culture,” said Chief Learning and Performance Officer Dr. Cleveland Johnson III. “Their success is a source of immense pride for our district and a model for what is possible when a school community is truly dedicated to ensuring exceptional opportunities, access, and outcomes for students.”

SHS plans to host an official banner unveiling ceremony later this year to commemorate the milestone.