Girls IN STEM Academy:
Opening Fall 2024

Girls Can Excel IN STEM

There is a large, self-perpetuating gender gap in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) jobs. Girls interested in STEM have fewer female role models, and the gender gap is even more pronounced among girls of color.

Girls IN STEM Academy is a new, all-girls public school for grades K-8 opening in 2024 on the near northwest side of Indianapolis. This groundbreaking school will be operated by Paramount Schools of Excellence in partnership with Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, Every Girl Can STEM™ and Purdue Polytechnic High School.

This new school will allow girls to thrive and excel in a supportive environment and study STEM along with a core curriculum, preparing them to excel in high school, college and a rewarding STEM career. The enrollment window is now open. Click the Enroll Now button to start the enrollment process.

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Women occupy only 28% of STEM jobs
Source: AAUW The STEM Gap: Women and Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Girls IN STEM Academy will be located on the near northwest side of Indianapolis at 5136 Michigan Road and will open in the 2024-25 Academic year.
While our permanent site is under renovation, Girls IN STEM Academy will open within the Hasten Hebrew Academy at 6602 Hoover Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46260. The Academy’s permanent location will be at 5136 Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46228.

About Us

Paramount Schools of Excellence

Girls IN STEM Academy will be operated by Paramount Schools of Excellence, a charter school based in Indianapolis that currently has three locations in Indianapolis and an online academy, along with two new locations in South Bend and Lafayette, IN. Paramount School uses an integrated research-based curriculum to maximize each child’s potential against measurable standards, empowering all students to achieve academic success in a culture of excitement, inclusion and community collaboration. Paramount has been recognized as one of the top 200 Indiana schools providing Promising Practices for accessibility in STEM Education.

Girls IN STEM Academy is chartered by Paramount in partnership with Purdue Polytechnic High School, Every Girl Can STEM and Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana

Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. This theme will be woven into the spirit of Girls IN STEM Academy. STEM curriculum is one of four areas of focus in Girl Scouts, and as such, the ability to collaborate on the STEM instruction and provide STEM enrichment activities on site at the Academy will be a powerful partnership.

Every Girl Can STEM™

Every Girl Can STEM is a non-profit dedicated to supporting educational opportunities for Hoosier girls in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. Girl Scouts is a program partner of Every Girl Can STEM.

Purdue Polytechnic High School

Founded by Purdue University and the City of Indianapolis in partnership with community, industry and academic leaders, Purdue Polytechnic High School prepares students to succeed in technical, STEM-related post-secondary programs and high-tech careers.

Purdue Polytechnic High School inspires students to pursue their passion through the lens of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), hands-on and project-based learning, industry partnerships and a flexible, personalized learning environment.

Meet the Principal

Chrystal Westerhaus has served as a teacher and assistant principal at a local charter network in Indianapolis for the past several years. During her four years as a sixth-grade teacher, more than 90% of her students achieved proficiency on the state’s standardized tests, featuring a 100% pass rate in the spring of 2013. During her three years as assistant principal of culture at Tindley Preparatory Academy, she utilized data-driven decision-making by analyzing student discipline data to create a positive culture for student motivation. Under her leadership, the school earned an “A” rating. 

Chrystal was the founding principal of Avondale Meadows Middle School. In her five years of leadership at AMMS, she led the school to improve its state rating from a “C” to a consecutive “A” rating. Chrystal holds a degree in elementary education from Purdue University and a master’s degree in urban and educational leadership from Indiana University.

Enroll Now

Thank you for your interest in enrolling your student(s) at Girls IN STEM Academy. Please complete the form below and a member of our enrollment team will give you a call within two business days.

 For immediate assistance, call (317) 519-4588.

Questions? Call 317-644-0076

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