Housed within the Chicago Public Schools Department of STEM, the STE(A)M Schools Team supports 51 STEM and STEAM schools in CPS, including 35 Elementary, 2 Middle Schools, and 14 High Schools.

Partnerships play a huge role in STEM and STEAM schools. 

• Create a supportive environment - Partnerships can help schools provide a learning environment that supports students' academic, social, and emotional development. 

• Improve student outcomes - Studies show that partnerships can lead to higher test scores, better grades, and higher graduation rates.

• Increase parental involvement - When parents feel connected to the school, they are more likely to be involved in their child's education 

• Provide access to resources - Partnerships can provide schools with access to expertise, support, and resources from the community. 

• Make learning more relevant - Accessing community resources can help students see a connection between the curriculum and the real world 

• Strengthen collaboration - Collaboration can help students and teachers learn from each other and build on each other's ideas. 

• Give community members a sense of ownership - When community members are involved in students' learning, they feel a sense of responsibility and ownership over the student