Local Highlight: Orion STEM Schools Naperville
Launching a New Era of Education in Naperville & Warrenville
What if school wasn’t just about memorizing facts but about building a strong foundation for life? At Orion STEM Schools in Naperville and Warrenville, that’s the bold vision transforming education today. Founded by Selvei Rajkumar and supported by a passionate leadership team, Orion STEM Schools combines cutting-edge STEM curriculum, entrepreneurship, and emotional intelligence to prepare students not only for college but for life, leadership, and meaningful impact.
Why Orion STEM Schools? The Vision Behind the Launchpad
Selvei Rajkumar, founder of Orion STEM Schools, shares the inspiration behind this innovative institution. Today’s children face unprecedented challenges as the future of work rapidly evolves with AI, automation, and an influx of misinformation. “Children do not know what type of fields or careers are going to exist,” Selvei explains. The goal of Orion STEM Schools is to equip students with the ability to discern truth from falsehood, solve complex problems, and approach challenges as opportunities.
Selvei emphasizes the importance of cultivating a mindset focused on empathy and service to humanity—skills essential to thriving in a disruptive and fast-changing world.
Choosing Naperville and Warrenville: Rooted in Community
As a long-time Naperville resident, Selvei saw a clear need for more STEM and entrepreneurship education in the area. Her experience running KLA preschools locally gave her insight into the community’s educational gaps. “There was a STEM school at Aurora University, but it was lottery-based, and very few students from each district could attend,” she says. This scarcity planted the seed for Orion STEM Schools, aiming to provide accessible, high-quality STEM education in Naperville and Warrenville.
After years of research and collaboration with UChicago STEM Education, Selvei and her team secured sites and approvals to bring the vision to life.
Future site for Orion STEM School in Warrenville, IL
Core Values Driving the Mission
At the heart of Orion STEM Schools lies a mission shaped by five core values:
Integrity
Kindness
Empathy
Gratitude
Respect
Students are empowered with voice and choice, encouraged to be their authentic selves while fostering a strong sense of belonging by accepting others.
“We want to give students the freedom not only to accept themselves but also to accept others,” Selvei shares. This foundation supports a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically and socially.
Learning from the Best: A Collaborative Team of Advisors
Orion STEM Schools benefits from a diverse and esteemed advisory team spanning multiple renowned institutions:
University of Chicago STEM Education
Dr. Michael Levrick, author of the Design Thinking Playbook and Stanford D school advisor
MIT, providing the discipline entrepreneurship curriculum
Harvard University’s Making Caring Common resources
Kevin Bartlett from CGC, shaping the school’s Portrait of the Graduate
Brown University for data science expertise
Additionally, Dr. Ira Rubin, a Naperville pediatrician with an MD PhD, contributes by developing a medical science curriculum starting from kindergarten, inspired by his mini medical school teaching high school students about healthcare careers.
Emotional Intelligence: The Foundation of True Learning
Heather Kostov, Curriculum Designer at Orion STEM Schools, highlights why emotional intelligence (EI) is as crucial, if not more, than traditional IQ. “Students can be assessed on how intelligent they are, but to get that intelligence, it’s important they understand themselves first,” Heather explains.
Self-awareness builds confidence and empathy, enabling students to collaborate effectively and support others. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is integrated into the school day through the role of “caring designers,” where students intentionally develop these vital skills.
Innovative Curriculum: Problem-Based Experiential Learning
Orion STEM Schools offers courses rarely seen in traditional public schools, including Data Science, AI and Robotics, Entrepreneurship, and Medical Science. Leveraging the expertise of their advisors, the team has created a unique scope and sequence tailored to their mission.
The school embraces Problem-Based Experiential Learning (PBEL), where teachers act as mentors guiding students to identify real-world problems, understand who is affected, brainstorm solutions, and prototype their ideas. Importantly, students learn resilience by experiencing failure as a natural part of the innovation process.
“Sometimes your idea doesn’t work, and that’s okay. We want to teach children that it’s okay to fail because you learn from what happened.” – Heather Kostov
This hands-on, iterative approach cultivates critical thinking, creativity, and perseverance.
Parents as Partners: A 360° Learning Assessment
Kimberly Hernandez, Director of Admissions and parent liaison, emphasizes the vital role parents play in their children’s education at Orion STEM Schools. Recognizing parents as the first and most influential teachers, the school invites them to actively participate through feedback and guest speaking opportunities.
One innovative tool used is the 360° Learning Assessment, which gathers reflections and feedback from students themselves, parents, peers, and teachers. This holistic approach supports each student’s personal learning and growth plan, fostering a collaborative community around every learner.
Looking Ahead: Hopes for Every Orion STEM Student
Selvei shares her heartfelt vision for every student who walks through Orion STEM Schools’ doors. She wants students to develop a strong foundation of six core mindsets:
Self-acceptance and acceptance of others
A genuine sense of belonging
Self-belief and self-efficacy
Discernment and critical thinking
Mindfulness and presence
Adaptability to change and the ability to create change
Ultimately, Orion STEM Schools aims to help students discover not only their passions but also their purpose, empowering them to dream big and lead boldly into the future.
Getting Involved: How Families Can Learn More
While the Orion STEM Schools campuses are still under construction, families interested in learning more can access a wealth of information and connect through virtual sessions or in-person visits to the admissions office in Warrenville. The team is committed to making the process easy and welcoming.
Families can visit www.orionstem.org or call 855-457-7275 to inquire, schedule information sessions, or ask questions about enrollment.
Conclusion
Orion STEM Schools in Naperville and Warrenville represents a transformative approach to education—one that blends academic rigor with emotional intelligence, entrepreneurship, and real-world problem solving. With a visionary founder, passionate educators, and a strong community focus, Orion is poised to nurture confident, compassionate, and capable change-makers prepared for whatever the future holds.
For families looking for an innovative, values-driven education in the Naperville area, Orion STEM Schools offers a launchpad to the next level of learning and life.
