Narragansett Middle School & Narragansett Regional High School Receives National Recognition for Commitment to Empowering Students
Named a distinguished school for STEM curriculum and career readiness
Baldwinville, MA -- Narragansett Regional School District announced today that its middle and high schools have been recognized as 2022-23 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished Schools. Narragansett Middle School is one of 212 middle schools across the U.S. and one of 6 in the state of Massachusetts to receive this honor for providing broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW Gateway. Narragansett Regional High School is one of 262 high schools across the country and one of 4 high schools in the state to receive this recognition. This recognition is powerful in light of the fact that approximately 12,200 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in schools across the U.S.
“Having the resources to offer all NMS students opportunities to engage with such a renowned program at all grade levels is a priority we are very proud of. PLTW is a program in which NMS students experience topnotch content, instructional training, and curricular materials that position them for success in a myriad of STEM courses, especially as they continue on in NRHS where program pathways provide an even more in-depth application of these skills.” --Mary LaFreniere, Principal, Narragansett Regional Middle School
“Through PLTW, NRHS students engage in curricular opportunities requiring them to solve real-world problems through multidisciplinary collaboration with peers as well as industry professionals. NRHS is proud to offer students pathways in engineering, computer science, and biomedical science in order to train the next generation of thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators with a genuine capacity to meet the challenges of our time.” --Colby Young, Principal, Narragansett Regional High School
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, NMS & NRHS had to meet a variety of criteria such as a certain percentage of the student body participating in PLTW programing and have strategies in place to ensure equitable access to students.
Research shows that the middle grades play a pivotal role in influencing high school, college, and career success. During this transitional time, it’s crucial to provide students with access to relevant, engaging, and real-world learning experiences that illuminate the range of career paths and possibilities available to them. Whether designing an automated robotics system or solving a mysterious disease outbreak, PLTW Gateway students engage in critical and creative thinking, build teamwork skills, and develop a passion for and confidence in STEM subjects.
“We are proud to recognize NMS & NRHS 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."
Narragansett Middle School & Narragansett Regional High School are 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.