Pattonville High School has been recognized as a 2020-21 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished High School. It is one of just 204 high schools across the United States to receive this honor for providing broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW [Computer Science, Biomedical Science, Engineering]. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in over 12,200 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, Pattonville High School had to meet the following criteria in the 2019-20 school year: 

• Had 95 percent of students take the End-of-Course (EoC) Assessments; 
• Had 25 percent of students or more participate in PLTW courses, or of those who participated in PLTW, at least 33 percent took two or more PLTW courses;  
• Offer and had students enrolled in at least three PLTW courses;  
• Had strategies and procedures 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 Pattonville High School 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.”

Pattonville High School 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 Pattonville High School's PLTW program, contact assistant principal Dr. Jon Fitzgerald or view these course promotional videos that were created in February 2020:

PLTW Computer Science - The PLTW Computer Science interdisciplinary courses engage students in compelling, real-world computer science challenges. As students work together to design solutions, they learn more than just how to code, developing computational thinking and communication skills for our increasingly technology-based economy.  

PLTW Biomedical Science - PLTW Biomedical Science introduces high school students to medicine and human body systems, as well as the wide array of biomedical science careers. Throughout the program, students take on the same real-world challenges as biomedical science professionals, preparing them for careers in medical and health-related fields.  

PLTW Engineering - PLTW Engineering empowers high school students to step into the role of an engineer and adopt a problem-solving mindset. Students engage in collaborative, real-life activities like working with a client to design a home, programming electronic devices or robotic arms, and exploring algae as a biofuel source.