New STEM school in Mississippi to boost economic growth and equity

In discussions about the highest-paying career paths and college degrees, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education is often viewed as a golden ticket. Yet, access to the field is not equal. Underrepresented groups — such as African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, females, and rural residents — are less likely to pursue STEM college degrees or professions.

To help combat the problem, SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy was launched to promote equity in STEM education. The Mississippi-based institution focuses its recruitment on underrepresented groups, instilling a lifelong love for learning while preparing its students for emerging STEM opportunities in the state.

Introducing SR1 CPSA

SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy (SR1 CPSA) was launched in partnership with the nonprofit SR1, which works with public and private organizations to offer high-quality educational opportunities for all students, with emphasis on underrepresented groups in Mississippi.

SR1 CPSA is a free public charter school that hosts children from K to the 5th grade. As the name suggests, it has a comprehensive STEM and college preparatory curriculum and aims to help its students secure their highest level of college placement. In SR1 CPSA’s inaugural year, i-Ready standardized reading assessments are unveiling an astonishing 102% annual typical growth rate for kindergarten students, with an equally impressive 69% annual typical growth rate for 1st graders. Leveraging strategic partnerships, SR1 will offer an early learning program with a PreK-4 division designed to enhance students’ learning before they begin formal schooling, providing them with an optimal foundation for a STEM education. The PreK-4 program has a capacity for 40 students.

As we celebrate this achievement and significant expansion of our enrollment from 23 students in the 2023-24 academic year to over 150 students in 2024-25, we are equally committed to scaling our student success initiatives as an integral part of our strategic plan. This growth compels us to enhance our support structures and resources to ensure every student receives the attention and opportunities they deserve to thrive in their educational journey.

Our dedication to student success is stronger than ever as we adapt and expand our programs to meet the evolving needs of our larger student body, aligning with our strategic vision for comprehensive student development.

 Innovative Vision for STEM and College Preparatory

To facilitate learning, a 250-plus acre campus is being built with learning spaces inspired by nature (proven to boost creativity and lower stress), plus a blend of indoor and outdoor learning. SR1 CPSA also has a dedicated and highly qualified teaching team that emphasizes multicultural competency, critical thinking, and intellectual curiosity over rote memorization.

In addition to a strong focus on educational achievement, SR1 CPSA recognizes that a student’s future success comes down to more than just their grades, so it goes above and beyond to facilitate a holistic curriculum with lots of extracurricular activities. This includes plans to carry out regular trips to destinations like the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, college campuses, and STEM centers to inspire its students.

“As pioneers in college and STEM-focused education, SR1 CPSA is committed to leveling the playing field and empowering underrepresented groups to excel in STEM fields,” says school founder Tamu Green. As a Mississippi State University STEM field and MBA graduate who hails from the rural city of Forest, MS, Green understands the challenges that underrepresented groups face in achieving STEM degrees and careers.

The Rise of STEM in Mississippi

Mississippi is known by many for its eponymous river; few people would associate it with STEM. However, the state is set to be the home of numerous exciting advancements in STEM-related fields that are reshaping the economic landscape and making it a hub for future opportunities. This makes Mississippi the ideal location for a STEM-focused school such as SR1 CPSA.

In January 2024, state legislators approved incentives to build an EV battery factory in Marshall County. A total combined $1.9 billion will be invested into the project, which aims to bring manufacturing to the US instead of relying on imports from foreign nations. It promises to provide 2,000 jobs to the area, with an average salary  of $66,000 — offering fantastic career opportunities for those studying STEM-related subjects.

The state is also on the cusp of building two data centers worth a total $10 billion in Madison County. Amazon Web Services has received approval from the Mississippi Legislature to jumpstart the project. Upon completion, it will create 1,000 jobs, with salaries at least 125% above the average state wage. The initiative is the largest capital investment in Mississippi’s history.

These are just two of the most prominent examples of projects underway in Mississippi, and both demonstrate that the STEM sector offers high-paying work. Lawmakers are also striving to bring economic development initiatives to other parts of the state to boost the economy.

Economic Mobility and Growth

College has often been known as the great equalizer in society, promising graduates stable careers and higher salaries. Recently, some have questioned this narrative due to high numbers of college graduates struggling to find work in their fields, along with stifling student debt. Yet, this does not mean that higher education is not a driver of economic mobility anymore.

The college wage premium is an economic concept demonstrating the difference in lifetime earnings between a college graduate and someone with no education beyond a high school diploma. Overall, the college wage premium is flattening, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco — but lifetime earnings are still higher for college graduates, showing that college completion remains a sound investment. However, the major a college student chooses has a huge impact on earning potential.

In a report by Georgetown University about the economic value of different college majors, significant discrepancies were found between subjects. Petroleum engineering graduates earned far more than their peers in non-STEM fields, with median earnings of $120,000. 

Other STEM fields were also at the top of the list — Pharmacy Pharmaceutical Sciences and Mathematical and Computer Sciences graduates both enjoyed earnings above an average of $100,000. Meanwhile, the lowest-earning category was mostly populated by non-STEM subjects, such as Early Childhood Education and Counseling Psychology. 

The analysis becomes even more complex when accounting for different ethnic backgrounds. For instance, wages of black and Hispanic high school graduates have increased at a more rapid pace than college graduates in recent years, while wages increased at roughly the same rate for white individuals. This is likely due to differences in college major choices.

A report about Diversity and STEM from the National Science Foundation found that only 18% of the African American population works in STEM occupations. Hispanics had a similar proportion, with 20% working in STEM. Contrastly, 25% of the white workforce are in the STEM sector. There are also discrepancies between the genders, with 29% of males and only 18% of females occupying STEM professions. 

Even more concerning is that the median wage for white people in the STEM field is almost $66,000, compared to an average of $54,734 for African American individuals and $45,480 for Hispanics.

When certain groups are inadequately represented and underpaid, it is not just detrimental to those groups — it also has a negative impact on society and the economy, as future talent is lost and innovation is hindered. In contrast, education and equity have the power to boost economic growth and foster innovation. 

SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy aims to emend these discrepancies early in students’ education by exposing all students, with emphasis on underrepresented groups, to STEM and encouraging them to pursue STEM college degrees. This is a critical driver for economic impact and societal advancement.

Great educational initiatives like SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy are built with the help of visionary donors like you. Join SR1 in shaping the  future of education through our $25 million fundraising campaign to develop an expansive 250-plus acre campus in Mississippi, a beacon of innovation in educational spaces.

This campus will feature greenspace designs to improve student health, happiness, and learning outcomes. By incorporating STEM and outdoor learning into the curriculum, the project aims to transform education into a dynamic and health-promoting journey.

To learn more about SR1 and our capital campaign, visit www.sr1cpsa.org/donation or call 601.206.4544.

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