Lithia Springs STEM High School is proud to not only be certified by the Georgia Board of Education, Cognia (an international education non-profit), and the National Institute of STEM Education, but to also be one of the most diverse STEM programs in the state. These certifications are a mark of STEM distinction and excellence only offered to highly effective institutions that prioritize STEM education as a path to success. They further reflect the dedication and commitment of LSHS’s teachers, parents, and partners to preparing the students of Douglas County with the relevant skills, and meaningful and deep learning experiences that will dominate the work-force of tomorrow. Furthermore, a quality STEM education can help to bridge the ethnic and gender gaps of today’s math and science fields. STEM is the future, and LSHS’s STEM Program graduates enter their post-secondary endeavors as confident, innovative thinkers and problem solvers who will lead their generation. LSHS’s STEM certification will continue to uphold the STEM Magnet Program to high standards while providing a clear road-map for the school to continuously improve STEM disciplines and programs.

Georgia Department of Education

Since 2016

LSHS was the first school in Douglas County to be awarded GA DOE STEM Certification and the seventh high school in the state of Georgia. It was achieved through the collaborative efforts of LSHS STEM Program teachers, parents, and business community supporters.
To earn STEM certification, the school was required to submit an application showing that it meets specific criteria, including evidence of teacher collaboration; business and industry partnerships; high levels of math and science instruction; and an integrated, project-based STEM curriculum. A team from the Georgia Department of Education and other STEM experts visited the school on multiple occasions to evaluate the program, review student work, meet with the STEM advisory board, and speak with students, parents, and community members about student opportunities through the STEM program.

Cognia (formerly AdvancED and Measured Progress)

Since 2018

​AdvancED STEM Certification is the first internationally recognized mark of quality for STEM schools and programs, signaling the growing emphasis placed on STEM education by educators, politicians and business leaders around the world. In earning this certification, Lithia Springs High School demonstrated its commitment to preparing students for their educational and career opportunities of the future by ensuring its students will have the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their postsecondary pursuits and as workforce contributors in the 21st-century economy.
In order to earn STEM Certification, Lithia Springs High School had to demonstrate adherence to the AdvancED STEM Standard as reflected by the school’s performance across 11 rigorous STEM Indicators.
The certification process provides a rigorous evaluation and continuous improvement process, supported by research-based tools and resources. Achieving high scores across the indicators certify that students have been equipped and trained to be innovative, creative and systematic problem-solvers across disciplines.
AdvancED’s STEM Certification Reviewers examined Lithia Springs High School’s evidence of quality STEM education that the school provided to the review team beforehand, and conducted classroom observations focused on identifying student engagement and collaboration in the learning process using the Effective Learning Environment Observation Tool™ (eleot™). Reviewers also interviewed key stakeholders such as school administrators, STEM faculty and staff, parents, students, and external partners in order to verify the school’s commitment to connecting students’ STEM experiences in the classroom to the local community and the world at large. 

National Institute for STEM Excellence (NISE)

Since 2020

The National Certificate for STEM Education (NCSE) recognizes individual school campuses for their commitment to and growth in teachers’ implementation of 21st Century and STEM strategies. Evolving from STEM professional development and curriculum created at Rice University, NISE STEM certificates integrate the most recent research and best practices in STEM, 21st Century Learning and professional development.