Orange Public Schools
Gerald Fitzhugh, II, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
- Orange Public Schools
- Overview
The STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges Receives National Recognition for Commitment to Empowering Students
Named a distinguished school for STEM and career learning program
Orange, NJ – The STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges has been recognized as a 2021-22 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School for the second consecutive year. It is one of just 191 high schools across the U.S. to receive this honor for providing broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW Biomedical Science and 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, STEM Innovation Academy had to meet the following criteria in the 2020-21 school year:
- Had 25 percent of students or more participate in PLTW High School courses, or of those who participated during the 2020-21 school year, at least 33 percent took two or more PLTW courses during their tenure at the school;
- Offer and had students enrolled in at least three PLTW High School 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.
“We are honored to recognize the STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges for their unwavering commitment to provide students with an excellent educational experience despite the last two years having been some of the most challenging in recent history for students and educators across the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. David Dimmett, Interim President and CEO of PLTW. “The STEM Innovation Academy 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.”
The STEM Academy 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.
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Appendix
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.