Award-Winning Junior High STEM Program
St. Joseph Hill Academy Elementary School is incredibly proud to announce, for the second consecutive year, we are a Project Lead the Way Distinguished Gateway School for our STEM curriculum. We are one of 212 middle schools across the U.S. to receive this honor for providing broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW Gateway. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in schools across the U.S.
Watch and Learn More About SJHA's Project Lead the Way Distinguished Gateway Program
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, SJHA had to meet a variety of criteria such as:
- Have more than 50 percent of the student body participating during the 2021-22 school year;
- Have 25 percent of students advancing to high school participate in two or more units during their time at the school;
- Offer at least one PLTW Gateway unit at each grade level;
- Have strategies in place that support reasonably proportional representation with regard to race, ethnicity, poverty, and/or gender.
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.This recognition is due to our commitment to helping our students own their education by increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in our Project Lead the Way Gateway program (6th-8th Grades).
Our PLTW Gateway courses include:
- 6th Grade- Automation and Robotics
- 7th Grade- Medical Detectives and Science of Technology
- 8th Grade- Magic of Electrons and Green Architecture
St. Joseph Hill Academy Elementary School's Project Lead the Way and STREAM Symposium
On Thursday March 23rd, SJHA Elementary School held our first ever Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and STREAM Program Symposium. It was an opportunity for anyone interested, including junior high age students, to learn more about our unique and award-winning PLTW and STREAM Programs. Families visited our cooperative learning centers and labs where current students put on demonstrations using the latest technology offered in our junior high. Guests heard from teachers and students firsthand on their experiences and history with SJHA's PLTW and STREAM program and took part in some hands-on scientific experiences.
Our student volunteers were the true shining stars of this evening. Their enthusiasm, knowledge and confidence were so impressive! We thank all of our guests for joining us and all our faculty and staff who participated in making the evening and our PLTW and STREAM Program a success!
Our student volunteers were the true shining stars of this evening. Their enthusiasm, knowledge and confidence were so impressive! We thank all of our guests for joining us and all our faculty and staff who participated in making the evening and our PLTW and STREAM Program a success!
Mr. Jan Paul Pablo Wins the Outstanding Project Lead the Way Teacher Award!
Mr. Jan Paul Pablo, Dean of Science and Technology as well as a Junior High Science Teacher, received the 2022-23 Outstanding PLTW Teacher award! He is one of 59 PLTW teachers across the U.S. to earn this achievement. Mr. Pablo and the teachers across the PLTW network – stand-up, show-up, and step-up every day for our students, colleagues, and communities.