Why Ellis County Needs a STEAM School (Grades 6–12)
Demographic & Enrollment Growth
CCMR (College, Career, and Military Readiness) Gaps in the Region
Industrial Certifications & Workforce Alignment
- Population Boom: Ellis County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas. The population rose by nearly 20% between 2010 and 2023 and is projected to continue increasing.
- Youth Demographics:
- Over 28,000 students are enrolled in Ellis County public schools.
- Roughly 7,000–9,000 students are in Grades 6–12.
- Ethnic & Economic Diversity:
- ~50% Hispanic, ~35% White, ~10% Black, ~5% Other.
- Over 40% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, showing a need for access to high-quality, affordable educational alternatives.
Industrial Certifications & Workforce Alignment
CCMR (College, Career, and Military Readiness) Gaps in the Region
Industrial Certifications & Workforce Alignment
- op Growing Industries in Ellis County:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Logistics/Supply Chain
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Aerospace & Aviation (proximity to DFW industrial corridors)
- Local Employers Seeking Skilled Workers:
- GE, Owens Corning, Midlothian Steel, Solar Turbines, Baylor Scott & White, and Amazon Warehouses.
- Certifications in High Demand:
- OSHA 10/30
- Fusion 360, Autodesk, and TinkerCAD (engineering design)
- CompTIA IT Fundamentals or A+
- Adobe Creative Suite (for digital design)
- CPR/First Aid, ServeSafe, Pharmacy Tech (healthcare/ culinary)
- SolidWorks and CNC Machining
- Drones/FAA Part 107 license (aerospace/ logistics)
CCMR (College, Career, and Military Readiness) Gaps in the Region
CCMR (College, Career, and Military Readiness) Gaps in the Region
A STEAM-focused charter school can raise CCMR scores by embedding:
- Only ~55–65% of students in Ellis County meet CCMR benchmarks, leaving 1 in 3 students unprepared.
- CCMR includes:
- College entrance exam readiness (SAT/ACT scores)
- Career prep (industry-based certifications)
- Dual credit/AP success
- Enlistment/military prep
A STEAM-focused charter school can raise CCMR scores by embedding:
A STEAM-focused charter school can raise CCMR scores by embedding:
A STEAM-focused charter school can raise CCMR scores by embedding:
- Industry certifications
- Dual credit with local colleges
- STEAM-based project learning
- SAT/ACT prep and college/career counseling
STEAM Skills = Future-Ready Graduates
A STEAM-focused charter school can raise CCMR scores by embedding:
STEAM Skills = Future-Ready Graduates
- 82% of employers say STEAM skills are critical for the 21st-century workforce (Source: National Science Board).
- Ellis County lacks a dedicated STEAM middle/high school.
- The closest STEM/STEAM academies are in Dallas and Tarrant Counties, requiring long commutes or competitive lotteries.
Factor & Opportunity
Population growth
Thousands of middle/high schoolers in need of future-ready options
Workforce needs
Industry demands workers with STEAM skills and certifications
Low CCMR Scores
30–45% of students are not prepared for college/career
Access Gaps
No current dedicated STEAM school in the county
certifications
Employers seek credentials like OSHA, Fusion 360, SolidWorks, CPR, Adobe, etc.
Donations
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