Press Releases

Thomas Edison Middle School recognized as a Project Lead the Way Distinguished School

February 28th, 2018

For Immediate Release                                                           
February 28, 2018 

Media Contact:
Evelyn Rossetti-Ryan
Chief Marketing and Outreach
erossetti-ryan@aces.org

Thomas Edison Middle School (TEMS) Receives National Recognition for Commitment to Empowering Students

Named a distinguished school for STEM and career learning program

[MERIDEN, CT] – Area Cooperative Education Services' (ACES) Thomas Edison Middle School announced today that it has been recognized as a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School for providing broad access to transformative learning opportunities for students through PLTW Gateway^TM. It is one of just 110 middle schools across the U.S.  and one of four in the state of Connecticut to receive this honor. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that serves millions of K-12 students and teachers in over 10,500 schools across the U.S.

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, TEMS 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 TEMS 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.”

Thomas Edison Middle School is part of a community of K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and corporate and philanthropic partners across the country united around a passion for providing students with inspiring, engaging, and empowering learning opportunities. For more information about PLTW’s recognition program, visit pltw.org/our-programs/program-recognition.

For more information on TEMS PLTW Gateway program or to set up a school visit, contact Caitlin Lombardi at clombardi@aces.org.

About PLTW
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. PLTW’s teacher training and resources support teachers as they engage their students in real-world learning. More than 10,500 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.

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