Community Needs & Community Partnerships or Other local support WPCS’s ongoing and in-demand elementary program will continue to serve its target market in Bonneville County. However, Bonneville County and Idaho Falls do not currently have a true STEM high school. While District 91’s Compass Academy has implemented a strong project-based learning program, including a robust Career-Technical program, they do not incorporate nor market an integrated STEM program. Yet, the area employers include a number of STEM- focused industriies. Major employers include government workers working at the Idaho National Laboratory (“INL”), as well as private employers Battelle Energy Alliance, Bechtel BWXT, Century\Link, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Melaleuca, Inc., Mountain View Hospital, Wal-Mart and Idaho Steel. Small business, particularly STEM businesses associated with the INL the Universities, and ancillary industries provide a multiplicity of STEM-related jobs, demanding a highly trained and educated workforce. The abundance of potential STEM community partners not only affects demand for STEM education but provides opportunity for educational collaboration. The White Pine STEM Academy will fill a unique niche in the community and draw from broad pool of potential students. WPCS also boasts a proven track record of academic and operational achievement, demonstrating that it is well- positioned to undertake the proposed STEM Academy expansion. Since its opening, but particularly since 2014, WPCS has exceeded the State average of students earning a 3 on the IRI, and those scoring proficient or advanced on the ISAT in both ELA and Math.6 WPCS has also been recognized by the state of 4 Id.
