just saw this message from the principal of STEM on their Facebook page:

Today I was summoned to 125 S. Clark Street to participate in the Honoring Excellence portion of the CPS Board Meeting.
This portion of the Board Meeting allows for the Board President, members and CPS Leadership to formally recognize positive accomplishments of the CPS community.
Today, STEM Magnet Academy was acknowledged as one of the TOP THREE, non-selective enrollment schools, with the highest ISAT Exceeds Composite Score for the 2011-2012 school year.
Way to go STEM!!!
Pretty good for the first year. The 3rd grade was a wildly varied group of children, many coming from very challenged schools. They teachers worked incredibly hard to get all the kids up to speed, and still managed to keep the school day exciting.