Our History

Sylvan Elementary transitioned to Sylvan STEAM Academy with the 2017-18 school year, although the seeds were planted several years before that. Recognizing the need to prepare our students for 21st-century jobs -- many that haven't even been created yet -- a core group of teachers and founding principal Tedde' Vaupel established the first STEAM school in Stanislaus county. Core concepts like student-driven inquiry and Project-Based Learning, transitional seating for greater collaboration, and STEAM-based activities and multi-grade electives, augment a rigorous standards-based curriculum.