ROCKFORD, IL — Hundreds of incoming sixth graders and their families gathered at West Middle School on Aug. 12, for an open house and the formal introduction of the STEAM Academy.

The STEAM Academy is an educational program that focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

According to Tatierra Bivens, the principal of West Middle School, the program will start with 60 incoming sixth graders, most of whom were a part of the Haskell Elementary School STEAM program.

"We saw a lot of great growth over at Haskell. Many of their students are excelling at academics," Bivens said. "We wanted to do something that was more science, math-oriented, and there was that gap that needed to be filled."

Bivens plans to continue the STEAM academy and add a grade each year, eventual

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