PLTW Announces 2010-11 Model Schools as Best in STEM | PLTW

Clifton Park, N.Y. — It is the list that Project Lead the Way (PLTW) affiliated schools have been waiting for since the application period began more than six months ago. Today, PLTW, the nation's leading provider of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curriculum, is proud to announce the 2010-11 "Model Schools" for their leadership in STEM education. Collectively, this year’s 16 model schools encompass the best that PLTW has to offer today’s middle school and high school students: rigorous, hands-on STEM curriculum that inspires students, unlocks their potential, and prepares them for the competitive, 21st Century global marketplace.

PLTW commends this year’s 2010-11 PLTW Model Schools:

• California Academy of Math and Science, Carson, Calif.
• Pike Central High School, Petersburg, Ind.
• Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa
• Carroll County Career and Technology Center, Westminster, Md.
• Bel Air High School, Bel Air, Md.
• Shakopee Junior High School, Shakopee, Minn.
• Blue Springs Freshman Center, Blue Springs, Mo.
• Brooklyn Technical High School, Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Cazenovia High School, Cazenovia, N.Y.
• Central Middle School, Edmond, Okla.
• Tamassee-Salem Middle/High School, Salem, S.C.
• Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
• Foy H. Moody High School Innovation Academy, Corpus Christi, Texas
• Two Rivers High School, Ogden, Utah
• Chilhowie Middle School, Chilhowie, Va.
• Escuela Vieau, Milwaukee, Wis.

"We are excited to recognize these schools for their exemplary work with students on a daily basis," said PLTW President and CEO Vince Bertram. "Teachers in these classes are inspiring students and unlocking their potential for success and achievement. This work does not happen in isolation. The community, business, and industry partnerships that make this work possible should be commended as well."

PLTW serves a total of 4,200 schools across the country in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia. The 16 schools selected to represent PLTW’s Model Schools serve as outstanding examples of how schools can implement PLTW’s rigorous STEM education program to meet the unique needs of their own community.

Selected schools range in size from large to small, middle to high school. They have high percentages of their overall student population engaged in PLTW courses. There are partnerships in place with business and industry and post-secondary institutions that actively support the curriculum and give students added real-world experience and mentors. Many of the Model Schools have developed a robust student recruitment strategy, and professional development includes teachers and counselors not only attending PLTW summer training programs, but in many cases, taking an active role in leading them. Finally, these schools provide their students with the opportunity to work with local community members and businesses to solve meaningful problems.

Please join us in congratulating the 2010-11 PLTW Model Schools. To visit a PLTW school or to arrange for an interview, please contact Jennifer Cahill at 812-483-5124 or jcahill@pltw.org