Lottery deadline nears for STEAM-focused
Getting into Edward Roberson Middle School is all about luck of the draw.
Each year, interested fifth-grade students are invited to enter their names into a lottery and 420 are selected for this nontraditional academy in Spring Independent School District, which is built around science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics careers.
Principal Tracey Walker said now is the time of year that the campus is buzzing with excitement. “Every year we get between 1,100 and 2,000 students who apply,” she said. “In January, they start inquiring about dates and deadlines.”
In February, prospective students are invited to visit the campus for a series of events, which start with a parent information night followed by two showcase nights, featuring live performances and exhibits of the school’s programs.
“The events are themed around Mardi Gras,” Walker said. “We use this opportunity to show off our student talent. Our theater department will put on productions, our artists will perform and teachers will have booths designed around our unique curriculum.”
In addition, Roberson school counselors will be visiting each elementary campus during the school day to answer any questions that fifth-graders might have and to accept and confirm their registration.
Recruitment continues through Feb. 26, the final deadline to enter the lottery.
Anindependent auditor will cometo the campus on March 10 to perform the selection live on a projector screen in the school’s auditorium. Parents are invited from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to see if their child is selected. Families do not have to be present to accept.
Hafedh Azaiez, the district’s assistant superintendent of middle schools, explained that Roberson is the only middle school of choice out of seven in the district.
“We have six middle schools that are zoned,” he said. “But any fifth grade student may apply to Roberson. Kids who want to go into STEAM fields are attracted to Roberson because of the offerings.”
Whether they want to perform on piano or pave the way for a career in technology, students can find a home at Roberson, Azaiez added.
Students also leave the school with a leg up on their education, having earned four to six high school credits.
Azaiez believes that a random lottery is the ideal way to select students for the campus.
“Based on our research, what we’re doing is the best practice,” he said. “Other campuses have entrance exams or students have to have certain qualifications. When you do that, you put certain kids at a disadvantage.”
For example, he pointed out, students who are atrisk or who have learning disabilities might be disqualified.
“When it’s open like this, it’s equal opportunity for all of the kids,” Azaiez said. “Everyone is on the same level.”
Walker said the academy is designed for students in sixth through eighth grades who have a strong interest in one or more of the math, science and fine arts areas.
“The idea is to nurture the gifts and talents of the kids who are in Roberson,” she said. “Because they come here for the specialized offerings, we are able to identify the subjects that give them joy and that they are good at.”
She added that courses are created with career-readiness in mind. “We want them to have handson experiences, so they are more prepared,” she said.
Azaiez said that students are more engaged when they are able to follow subject areas and career paths that they choose.
“I’ve seen throughout my career the impact when you expose students to subjects they are truly interested in,” he said. “It can be a game-changer. It gets them to come back to school day after day. The kids get hooked.”
He said the program benefits all types of students — from those at-risk of dropping out to those who are already doing well and need a place to hone their skills.
“Our students really perform and excel in these courses,” he said. “We’ve seen their progress and success. This school transforms them.”