WARSAW — Edgewood Middle School announced it has been recognized as a Project Lead The Way Distinguished School for providing broad access to transformative learning opportunities for students through PLTW Gateway. Edgewood is one of 110 middle schools across the U.S. to receive this honor. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that serves millions of K-12 students and teachers in more than 10,500 schools across the U.S.

“We are so pleased to have Edgewood Middle School recognized as a PLTW Distinguished School,” said JoElla Smyth, EMS principal. “Our students are thriving in our PLTW classes and we are so proud to have one of the top PLTW Middle School teachers in the state.”

The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for the designation, Edgewood Middle School had to meet the following criteria:

• Offer at least one PLTW Gateway unit at each grade level.
• Have more than 50 percent of the student body participating during the 2016-17 school year.
• Have 25 percent of students advancing to high school participate in two or more units.

Through PLTW programs, students develop STEM knowledge as well as in-demand, transportable skills that they will use both in school and for the rest of their lives, on any career path they take. PLTW Gateway empowers students to lead their own discovery and uncover a range of paths and possibilities they can look forward to in high school and beyond.

“It is a great honor to recognize Edgewood Middle School for their commitment to students,” said Vince Bertram, President and CEO of PLTW. “They are a model for what school should look like, and they should be very proud of ensuring students have the knowledge and skills to be career ready and successful on any career path they choose.”