Self-Assessment Rating: 3

Pinecrest Academy of Nevada - Cadence Campus (PAC) is a public charter school sponsored by the Nevada State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA). PAC currently serves a culturally diverse student population of over 1800 scholars who represent various socioeconomic levels. In addition to the diversity, PAC educates students with a wide variety of academic abilities. PAC currently has 58 students participating in the gifted program, 262 students receiving a variety or special education services, and 40 students in the English Language Learners program. PAC continues to work diligently to ensure that every student is provided with STEM opportunities and experiences.

PAC implements enrollment procedures in compliance with applicable law and as described in the school's charter. Any student who submits a timely application, regardless of socioeconomic or academic background, is included in the lottery process. The lottery process ensures equal enrollment opportunities for all students interested in attending PAC. Upon completion of the lottery, all open seats are filled until classes have reached full capacity. The lottery selection process maximizes the likelihood that PAC enrollment reflects the diversity of the surrounding community.

Rigorous programs and innovative tools for learning are the hallmark of the Pinecrest tradition. Research-based programs, such as Wonders, Springboard, Project Lead the Way, and Ready Classroom, are used in core-content areas to engage students in standards-based instruction. Additionally, blended learning platforms, including i-Ready, Accelerated Reader, Myon, and ST Math, address students' individualized instructional goals for both remediation and acceleration. Lessons provided to students follow the rigor and expectations set forth in the Nevada Academic Content Standards, which include the Next Generation Science Standards. Regular education classes provide opportunities for students to access the standards at high levels of rigor where there is a specific focus on engagement, opportunities to respond, and student-driven collaboration. Students in need of additional academic support are provided intervention through our SABIT process, and students who are identified as gifted and talented have an opportunity to expand their critical thinking and problem-solving skills through leveled instruction. All of our students, regardless of level, are immersed in critical 21st Century thinking skills throughout their day with a specific focus on the design process during STEM specials, electives, and collaboratively developed STEM infused units delivered in the general education setting.

STEM instruction has been a focus for PAC since its opening in 2016. Each year, the school actively increases opportunities for Pinecrest scholars to be exposed to and internalize key STEM skills. All students engage in STEM lessons and activities through integrated, general-education STEM instruction, participation in their STEM special for elementary students, and through a multitude of STEM elective choices in both middle and high school.

The STEM committee, comprised of representatives from all grade levels and disciplines, collaboratively plan STEM units with their Pinecrest system counterparts to provide students thoughtful and comprehensive units of study. PAC also provides students with STEM guest speakers and mentors. Additionally, PAC is finalizing the process for students to engage in STEM related internships with community partners.

Pinecrest Academy of Nevada - Cadence Campus provides a variety of opportunities for students to become involved in the STEM culture. PAC offers middle school and high school electives such as Exploring Aviation, Aviation Technology CTE, Zoology, Intro to Archeology, Intro to Physics, Broadcast News, Computer Science Discoveries, AP Computer Science Principles, Cyber Security CTE, Graphic Design CTE, MATHCOUNTS, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and Speech and Debate/Think Law. In addition, Pinecrest Academy offers clubs and activities to enrich students’ knowledge in chemistry, drones, engineering, aviation, gardening, and mathematics. Students in elementary school have access to 1:1 technology at school while 6^th to 12^th grade students are provided Chromebooks to enrich learning by promoting collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, communication, and problem solving.

The mission of Pinecrest is to continually increase student interest in and understanding of STEM careers through real-world experiences. To meet this end, PAC involves community stakeholders in the development of STEM initiatives through key partnerships. These partnerships have lead to dynamic speakers, real-world materials/resources, and mentorships for PAC students. PAC also engages families in STEM through participation in STEM focused school events and opportunities to volunteer for STEM related activities, as well as communication and discourse opportunities through Parent Impact Meetings.

• Kindergarten
  • Lion Habitat & Sea Quest - Prior to the field trips, students explore different animal habitats from the arctic, grasslands, ocean, rainforest, and tundra. While researching the habitats, students investigate real animals and how they have adapted to survive, the foods they eat, and the nature of their predators. The students use their research from school and their field trips to design a diorama of an animal habitat.
• 1st Grade
  • Gilcrease Orchard - Following the interactive trip to Gilcrease, students collaboratively design and build a device to help bees make their honeycomb more efficiently. Students will use books to explore facts about bees, honey, and the honeycomb. Students will evaluate and explain how their design will be beneficial to the bees.
• 2^nd Grade
  • Children's Discovery Museum - The museum visit provides a hands-on experience that allows students to create, explore, and invent. After spending the day at the museum, students use their first-hand experience to become entrepreneurs. Students create their own invention to help mankind.
• 3^rd Grade
  • Valley of Fire - Following the trip, students collaborate to design and publish a field guide highlighting the Valley of Fire. Students reexamine facts about the climate, ecosystem, and geography. Students evaluate and explain why people should visit or live in the area.
  • Sea World: Students work together to research, design, and build a model of a new ride at Sea World. The students use their knowledge of balanced and unbalanced forces to determine different possibilities for creating a safe and successful customer experience.
• 4^th Grade
  • High Roller - Students collaborate to create a structure they believe would enhance Las Vegas Boulevard. The structure must follow the constraints and criteria of the High Roller Observation Wheel.
• 5^th Grade
  • Zion National Park - Students participate in a STEM-filled trip to Zion National Park. While on hikes, students examine and discuss various landforms as they gather evidence of ecosystems that are contained within. Zion and the Virgin River are a beautiful model of ecosystems at work in our own backyard.

1. Elementary
   • Add STEM extension activities for increased family engagement
   • Provide STEM-centered after school clubs
2. Secondary STEM
   • Provide cross-curricular planning opportunities to secondary teachers to provide STEM challenges which span multiple classrooms/disciplines
   • Increase STEM electives/PLTW modules offered to secondary students