Project Lead the Way Distinguished Gateway Schools

Cedar Heights, Marcus Whitman, and John Sedgwick Middle Schools Receive National Recognition for Commitment to Empowering Students

All South Kitsap Middle Schools named as distinguished schools for STEM and career learning program

Port Orchard, Washington – South Kitsap School District announced today that Cedar Heights, John Sedgwick, and Marcus Whitman Middle Schools have been recognized as 2021-21 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished Schools. They are three of just 158 middle schools across the U.S. to receive this honor for providing broad access to transformative learning opportunities for students through PLTW Gateway. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in 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, Cedar Heights, Marcus Whitman, and John Sedgwick Middle Schools had to meet the following criteria: 
 

• Have more than 50 percent of the student body participating during the 2019-20 school year;  
• Have 25 percent of students advancing to high school participate in two or more units;
• Offer at least one PLTW Gateway unit at each grade level;  
• Have strategies and supports in place that support reasonably proportional representation with regard to race, ethnicity, poverty, gender and can support such claims with relevant data. 

“It is a great honor to recognize Cedar Heights, John Sedgwick, and Marcus Whitman Middle Schools for their unwavering commitment to provide students with an excellent educational experience despite the unusual circumstances and unique challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented to the educational landscape this past year,” said Dr. Vince Bertram, President and CEO of PLTW. “They should be very proud of their achievements in unlocking their students’ potential and equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in life beyond the classroom no matter what career path they choose.”
 

South Kitsap School District is part of a community of PreK-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 South Kitsap School District Middle School PLTW Gateway program, contact Sara Hatfield, Director of Career & Technical Education at 360-874-6285. 

 

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 About South Kitsap schools

South Kitsap School District has 16 schools and serves approximately 8,500 students in preschool through grade 12. South Kitsap School District is the largest employer in Port Orchard Washington with more than 1,300 employees. South Kitsap School District is committed to nurturing growth, inspiring achievement, and building community so that every student graduates ready for the future.

 

For more information, contact:

Amy Miller, Communication & Public Information Officer
360-874-7005, millera@skschools.org