Who We Are

Founded in 2013 in Springfield, Ohio, Global Impact STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Academy was created to address industry challenges and solutions that students can tackle to solve global issues.

We deliver an innovative and relevant curriculum through an interdisciplinary, project-driven school day. Global Impact STEM Academy offers a 2 year rigorous curriculum followed by 2 years of college-level, free of charge, coursework. Students who progress through our pathway will graduate from GISA with 2 years worth of college credit.

All incoming students are issued a MacBook Air which they will use a variety of tools available to answer real world problems.

7th-10th

Students will obtain an education focused around real-life problem solving. Unlike a traditional school where tests and textbooks are paramount, GISA prioritizes the application of this knowledge into student-based projects and the practice of this knowledge in real-life situations. Students will be given the opportunity to address real-life problems with a focus on the agriculture industry, and start working towards a better future before graduating from high school. Check out our projects and annual Expo Night for examples of student work.

11-12th

Every student is recognized by the staff as a unique individual and a student’s education will reflect that philosophy. Some students will aspire to college and post-secondary opportunities at all levels, while others may want to directly enter a career after high school. Many of our students take advantage of college courses offered at Global Impact, as well as attend sessions at Clark State Community College, Wittenberg University, and Wright State University. Determined students can achieve an associate’s degree before graduating high school.

Each senior will be required to have a Senior Capstone Experience - where they will be assisted in an internship or job opportunity to gain valuable, real-life experience towards a possible future career.

 

 
 
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Experiential Learning

A quintessential part of the Global Impact experience is experiential learning, or learning by doing. We place at the forefront multi-disciplinary projects which last from weeks to the entire school year. These projects challenge our students to:

  • Explore their passion and purpose with learning that matters to them.

  • Embrace self-regulation and self-advocacy as students work at their own pace and seek out assistance.

  • Apply their knowledge through challenging tasks that have real world implications with the community.

  • Coordinate and cooperate with peers to build a cohesive school community that cultivates empathy and equity.

 
 
 

Mastery Assessment

Every high school level course at Global Impact STEM Academy follows a mastery-level grading scale. Mastery is demonstrated through excellence in a concept, skill and/or content standard and proves that a student is ready for entry-level college coursework. Students are given multiple opportunities to “show what they know”, with an emphasis on learning from mistakes. We believe that the process is more important than the product.

We recognize that “going through the motions” of school and achieving a C-average isn’t pushing a learner to succeed. Therefore, we hold our learners to a high standard. Through a challenging and rigorous curriculum, students recognize the ability to learn from being challenged. All learners are granted the opportunity to retake assessments, remediate projects, and catch up on missing assignments.

Unlike a traditional school, the ability to resubmit assignments allows students to recognize their mistakes and learn from them. Although a mastery assignment is typically more difficult than a traditional school project, these assignments will advance students’ knowledge far greater.

Mastery assignments are designed to be completed over multiple weeks, even months, and have students utilizing both content in the class as well as skills to use in the real world. For example, students may use DNA test results to prove how different phenotypes interact in a lab report, build a sustainable “ecosphere” habitat in conjunction with a local university, develop story-based video games to represent veteran’s issues in the United States, or create a business from scratch that generates a profit.

We still adhere to standardized assessment for the state of Ohio, but do not believe that standardized testing is an accurate representation of a student’s knowledge. Instead, we take pride in our student’s accomplishments and what they can show in their learning.

 
 

Extracurriculars

Global Impact offers one of the largest FFA chapters in Ohio, 4-H, a competitive eSports team, and many exciting after-school opportunities ran by both teachers and students. All students may participate in their home school after school activities as well, such as sports and band.