Global Impact STEM Academy (GISA) is a designated Independent STEM school approved by ODE’s STEM subcommittee on October 15, 2012, that currently serves 700 students in grades 7-12.  As an Independent STEM school, GISA takes a unique and innovative approach to its educational delivery methods through a high level of relationships with students, parents, and industry leaders, while providing a hands-on and relevant approach to its content.  

 To find relevancy in all that students do, GISA uses the agriculture industry to demonstrate a high level of application throughout all disciplines.  To that point, a cross-disciplinary approach is taken with the realization that problems do not simply occur in just the content areas of Math, Science, Social Studies, English, and the arts.  

 Part of the required programming is through a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway in Food and Ag-Bioscience.  This type of coursework demands unique facilities and industry specific equipment and supplies.  All students enrolled are required to take courses in:

 Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Plant and Animal Biotechnology 

Food Science Technology

Environmental Science for Food, Ag, and Natural Resources

Principles and Practices of Bioscience

Bioresearch

Ag Business

Ag and Environmental Science Capstone (consist of internship, research, entrepreneurial project, and/or job shadowing)

 In addition, GISA has expanded required courses that include Information Technology (IT) and Engineering.

 Global Impact incorporates a “Mastery” learning system.  We believe that all students can perform at high levels if given the proper resources to fill skill gaps and time to address those gaps.  Students are expected to take coursework and address delivered competencies at the highest levels possible.

 Global Impact has also adopted an “Early College” model.  With this model, students who achieve “mastery” in their courses and test college-ready, begin to take college coursework as early as their sophomore year.  This is done through the College Credit Plus (CCP) initiative in the state of Ohio and with higher-education partners, such as Clark State College.  Some of these courses are offered in Global Impact facilities, while others are offered off-campus with our higher-education partners. 

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 a focus on focus on AgBiotechnology / Food Science / Energy / Environment, as well as Applications in Engineering, 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.

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 may 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.

A quintessential part of the Global Impact experience is experiential learning, or learning by doing. We place at the forefront multi-disciplinary, inquiry-based 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.

• 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.

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. Students are given multiple opportunities to “show what they know”, with an emphasis on learning from mistakes. We believe that the process is just as 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.

Most 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.

Global Impact offers one of the largest FFA chapters in Ohio, 4-H, a competitive eSports team, a US Drone Soccer team, Study Abroad opportunities, 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.