BPS receives national recognition for commitment to empowering students

BPS receives national recognition for commitment to empowering students

Bridges Preparatory School (BPS) has been recognized as a 2022-23 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School. BPS is one of 492 elementary schools and 212 middle schools across the U.S. to receive this honor for providing broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW Launch and PLTW Gateway. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in schools across the U.S. 

“Bridges Preparatory School has quickly risen to the top for innovation and robust STEM learning,” said Gary McCulloch, BPS CEO. “One of our strategic 10-year goals is to provide STEM access for all learners in a K-12 setting. In as little as 3 years, we have exemplified the best practices that have earned us the title of a PLTW Distinguished Launch and PLTW Distinguished Gateway Schools.”

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, BPS had to meet a variety of criteria such as a certain percentage of the student body participating in PLTW, participate in two or more units during their time at school, offer at least one PLTW unit at each grade level, and have strategies in place to ensure equitable access to students.

“We are proud to recognize BPS 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."

BPS 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. 

“This is a tremendous honor. Our faculty and students work hard to engage in a challenging STEM curriculum that prioritizes the engineering and design process in their STEM modules,” said McCulloch. “PLTW modules promote the collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills that our businesses look for in potential candidates. BPS emphasizes the skills that our students need in order to be competitive in an ever-changing global market.”