BUILDING A CULTURE OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE THROUGH INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY
Learn more about the NIHF STEM High School in the "About STEM High School" Web page.
Dina Popa
Principal
NIHF STEM High School
P: 330.761.7965
F: 330.761.7966 dpopa@apslearns.org
Vision
In everything we do, we believe in challenging the status quo; we believe in thinking, teaching and responding differently. The way we challenge the status quo is to provide authentic, innovative and rigorous learning experiences that inspire creativity, foster inventive/critical thinking, and cultivate leadership and problem-solving skills in such a way as to promote wellness and citizenship through science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Philosophy
Scientific inquiry and technological design are the cornerstones of instruction for our school. Our learning environments focus on personalized learning and teamwork skills while incorporating engineering, personal finance, music, art, humanities and other content areas. Learning Coaches act as advisers where they work with small groups of learners to set goals and identify rigorous coursework to meet those goals. State-of-the-art technology is used to achieve academic excellence, creative instruction and 21st-century skills.
Application Process
Families may apply to attend NIHF STEM High School in the fall prior to the ninth- and 10th-grade year. No applications are accepted for grades 11 and 12. NIHF STEM Middle School eighth-grade families do not need to apply in the lottery; they will automatically roll to NIHF STEM High School in June. The application process is lottery-based. Students from both APS and non-APS schools are accepted in the lottery. These applications are accepted through the APS Open Enrollment Department, akronschools.com/enrollment.
The open enrollment application window for current eighth- or ninth-graders looking to enter NIHF STEM High School in the fall of 2024 was October 30-December 1, 2023.
Academic Programming
The STEM academic programming consists of all honors courses, AP courses and college courses for our foundational core credits. Elective credits are in the arts and humanities with courses such as orchestra, band and AP Art. STEM electives are in one of the pathways listed below. Click on the links below to learn more about our STEM opportunities.
Biotechnology
This pathway is designed to give students a comprehensive introduction to the scientific thinking, concepts and laboratory research techniques currently used in the field of biotechnology. Students will also learn about biomimicry, a cutting edge approach that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges, especially in the medical field, by emulating nature’s patterns and strategies. Possible careers include lab assistant, chemical technician and microbiologist.
Cybersecurity
This pathway is designed to give students a comprehensive introduction to cybersecurity and the practice of protecting systems, networks and programs from digital attacks. Students will also learn about the integration of artificial intelligence with network defense aimed at assessing, changing or destroying sensitive information. Possible careers include information security analyst, computer network architect, network administrator, compliance analyst and database analyst.
Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineers solve problems that help clean up our environment by focusing on air, water and land quality issues. Environmental engineers develop solutions to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health and pollution control. Students in this pathway will study the design process and learn new and exciting ways renewable energy can make the Earth more sustainable.
NIFH STEM High School has received the US News and World Report's Best School Designation for five years in a row, ranking the school the #1 school in APS for 2020-21 and 2022-23.
NIHF STEM High School is the 10-year recipient of the Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM Education.
NIHF STEM High School has a world-class robotics program that competes internationally.
NIHF STEM High School has the district’s only eSports teams that competes and win at the state level.
NIHF STEM High School has the only girls' flag football team in Akron, and it is sponsored by The Cleveland Browns. Organization
Since its inception in 2018, our robotics teams have competed at the international level leading the way for Akron Public Schools in coding, innovation, problem-solving and creativity. Utilizing VEX Robotics and a growth mindset, this club is beyond science and engineering principles; it encourages teamwork and grit. Coached by Sam Appleby, students are leaders in APS and in the community. Our STEM Robotics teams hold five state championships and a multitude of international competition qualifiers. Coach Appleby inspires all of his teams to be STEM innovators of tomorrow!
STEM is home to the only APS high school with an eSports program. Leading the way for the district since 2018, our eSports teams have competed at the state level and hosted a multitude of summer camps to onboard APS middle schools to build programming across the district.
STEM offers many different leadership opportunities for all grade levels, offering a collaborative way to guide learners toward working on a common goal grounded in STEM norms, habits and our core values. Students can be invited to join our National Honor Society, where they will participate in the planning of school events to build school culture. Learners can join the Student Council, where they will engage in philanthropic initiatives that grow their leadership skills and help build a positive school culture. We also offer a STEM Ambassador program, where student leaders serve as role models to their peers. The ambassadors often serve their school by providing campus tours to visitors from the community, other outside organizations, parents and prospective students and also represent STEM in the community in their activities and actions.
