STEAM Learning Brings New Hope For Once-Shuttered Midtown Sacramento School

By Kelly Ryan

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A Midtown school that once had so few students it was forced to close its doors is getting new life with a purpose.

"I think it's going to get kids excited about learning, engaged in the process," said Principal Hema Godina.

She's talking about the rebirth of Washington Elementary. The Midtown school closed two years ago after enrollment dropped. Now, the school has reopened and parents are excited.

With a growing downtown, the school's opening will be full steam ahead.

"STEAM is science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics," she said. "Adding the art picture the art to the picture frame makes a real pliable place for kids to go."

Another bonus for parents will be the cost.

"When you take a look at the comparative education of say a Montessori school that may be charging $15,000 to $20,000 for a comparable education coming to the unified school district for free is an important thing," she said.

But this won't be a traditional school in look or content.

"It's not we're going to do an hour of math and an hour of science, but we're really going to integrate these things and how do they work with engineering and how to they work with art," she said.