Monroe County, Indiana – Lakeview Elementary School has officially earned STEM Certification from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), making it one of just 16 schools across the state to receive the honor for the 2024-25 academic year. The certification is valid through 2030 and reflects the school’s deep commitment to hands-on, student-centered learning in science, technology, engineering, and math.
This achievement places Lakeview among an elite group of Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) institutions that have met the state’s rigorous standards for STEM education. Other MCCSC schools previously certified include Grandview Elementary, Unionville Elementary, Batchelor Middle School, and The Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship.
Lakeview’s journey to certification involved a lengthy and comprehensive process. To qualify, the school was required to compile a detailed portfolio showcasing its programs and practices, host site visits, and take part in interviews with both teachers and students. The certification program, launched by IDOE in 2015, is designed to recognize schools that integrate STEM learning into every part of the school experience—well beyond textbook instruction.
“This certification reflects our commitment to hands-on STEM opportunities that inspire students to see themselves as future innovators and problem-solvers,” said MCCSC Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston. “While STEM is incorporated into elementary and secondary curricula at all MCCSC schools, we are exceptionally proud of our schools that have undertaken this rigorous statewide certification process.”
At Lakeview, students from kindergarten through sixth grade are exposed to a wide range of STEM-focused experiences. Computer science, in particular, is a cornerstone of the school’s program. Students regularly practice block coding and apply computational thinking through robotics and interactive technology projects. These early experiences in digital problem-solving help prepare them for real-world challenges and encourage curiosity from a young age.
Lakeview students have even earned recognition outside the classroom. In 2023, a team of fifth graders took home first place in the Nextech CSforGood computer science competition. Their winning project, a “Friendship Finder” app, was designed to help new students connect and make friends—a perfect example of STEM learning tied to meaningful, everyday problems.
The school also hosts annual STEM nights that offer families and community members the chance to witness student innovation firsthand. These events often feature student-led demonstrations of coding, robotics, and other tech-driven learning activities that showcase the real-world applications of classroom instruction.
The IDOE’s STEM Certification is more than a badge of honor—it signals to parents, educators, and the wider community that a school is dedicated to developing students who are not just consumers of technology, but creators and thinkers who can shape the future.
Lakeview’s achievement is not just a celebration for one school, but a reflection of MCCSC’s growing leadership in STEM education across the district. With five certified schools and more likely to pursue the process, the district continues to invest in programs that prioritize inquiry, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration.
To learn more about Lakeview Elementary’s STEM programming and the steps that led to this certification, families can visit the school’s dedicated STEM certification website.
