By Jack Orloff

Austin ISD is home to Project Lead The Way, an innovative program that helps students develop in-demand skills in computer science, engineering and biomedical science, and one AISD campus has received national recognition for its implementation. 

In May, Consuelo Mendez Middle School announced that they had been recognized as a Project Lead The Way Distinguished School for providing broad access to transformative learning opportunities for students. Mendez was one of just 176 middle schools across the U.S. to receive this honor. 

"This recognition is tremendous for the entire Mendez faculty and staff,” said Donna Wise, academic dean at Mendez. “We are very proud of the work done by our students and teachers. As a STEM Academy, this type of recognition means a lot.”

The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for the award, Consuelo Mendez Middle School had to meet the following criteria: offering at least one PLTW Gateway unit at each grade level, have more than 50 percent of the student body participate during the school year or have 25 percent of the students advancing to high school participate in two or more units.

“Our teachers do amazing work and the students get hands-on activities, projects and problems that empower them to solve real-world challenges,” said Principal Joanna Rowley. “In line with our SEL model it inspires them to reimagine their self-confidence.”

Mendez lists PLTW as a core subject for grades seven and eight and as an elective for grade six. This provides 100% of students transitioning to high school with at least one high school Career and Technical Education credit toward graduation.

"Mendez Middle School is one of only six middle school campuses chosen across the country for this distinction and proves that hard work and determination can get the job done," said David Simmons, executive director of the T-STEM Coalition. "We couldn't have done it without the PLTW teachers at Mendez." 

About PLTW 
Project Lead The Way serves millions of pre-K through 12th grade students and teachers in more than 12,200 schools across the nation. AISD offers PLTW programs at four elementary schools, 11 middle schools, and eight high schools and is continuing to grow the program on other campuses, including three new elementary schools and two new middle schools this school year. 
 
Through PLTW programs, students develop STEM knowledge and in-demand skills that they will use both in school and in a career. This empowers students to lead their discoveries and uncover a range of paths and possibilities they can look forward to in high school and beyond.