[Star City, Arkansas] – SCSD announced today that it has been recognized as a 2022-23 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished District for providing broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through its PLTW pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. It is one of just 17 districts across the U.S. to receive this honor. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in schools across the U.S.
The PLTW Distinguished District recognition honors districts committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for the designation, SCSD had to have 20 percent or more of its students in each grade, PreK-12, participate in a PLTW program during the 2021-22 school year, or each school in the district needed to receive the 2022-23 PLTW Distinguished School award.
Through PLTW programs, students develop in-demand knowledge and skills that they will use both in school and for the rest of their lives, on any career path they take. As PLTW students progress through grades PreK-12, they are empowered to engage in problem-solving and process thinking, develop technical knowledge and skills, build communication skills, and explore career opportunities. SCSD offers PLTW Launch (PreK-5), PLTW Gateway (6-8), and PLTW [Computer Science, Engineering, and/or Biomedical Science] at Jimmy Brown Elementary, Star City Middle School, and Star City High School.
“We are proud to recognize SCSD for their commitment to providing students with exceptional educational experiences while ensuring equitable access to PLTW programs,” said Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW President and CEO. "We congratulate them on this achievement and celebrate their important work empowering students with the knowledge and skills to succeed, not only in STEM subjects, but also more generally in life and career."
SCSD 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.