Sherman Thomas STEM Academy

Sherman Thomas STEM Academy is a minimally staffed middle school in Madera, California, run under Sherman Thomas STEM Academy District. The school teaches 75 students in grades 6 through 8. Compared to the state average of about 659 students per school, that is 89% leaner than typical.

Sherman Thomas STEM Academy is a school of Sherman Thomas STEM Academy District, the district that handles curriculum, staffing, and budget for the campus.

On the student-mix side, Sherman Thomas STEM Academy records that Hispanic students make up the majority at 67%. Beyond that, the school lists 25% White, 5% Asian, 3% multiracial.

In terms of school funding signals, Staff filings list 3 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 27.3:1 students per teacher. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 20.7:1, putting Sherman Thomas STEM Academy higher than the state norm the norm. An estimated 36% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment. That share is below Madera County's rate of about 81%.

Across the wider county, the surrounding county (Madera County) reports that median household income runs about $76,627, about 18% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 14%. In all, Madera County runs 81 public schools (combined enrollment of about 32,251 students), of which Sherman Thomas STEM Academy is one.

Sherman Thomas Charter is the nearest neighboring public school, about 0.2 miles from this campus. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools.

The campus sits in a bedroom-community setting. Sherman Thomas STEM Academy operates as a public charter school, meaning it is publicly funded but governed independently of the surrounding district's traditional schools.

Inside the community feed, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around sports schedules, lunch menu changes, and school spirit week. Anyone with firsthand experience at this school can post or comment.