6/04/2025 - Middleburg Heights, OH – Polaris Career Center middle and high school satellite STEM programs have been designated as Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Distinguished Schools and were recently honored for offering transformative educational opportunities for students. These innovative programs currently serve nearly 3,500 students in each of Polaris’s partner school districts including Berea, Brooklyn, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls and Strongsville.

The Polaris middle school programs at Brooklyn, Berea-Midpark, Mayer (Fairview), North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls and Strongsville Middle Schools were recognized for increasing student access, engagement and achievement in their PLTW Gateway programs. This is a special honor as very few middle school sites across the U.S. received this designation. To be eligible, each school location had to meet a variety of criteria such as the percentage of students participating in PLTW, the percentage of students who participate in more than one PLTW unit, the number of PLTW units offered and efforts to ensure access to PLTW courses.

Through Project Lead the Way Gateway programs, students develop STEM knowledge and gain in-demand skills in a fun and engaging setting that they can use in high school and beyond. Whether designing an automated robotics system or exploring aerospace by creating designs and prototypes, PLTW Gateway students engage in critical and creative thinking, build teamwork skills and develop confidence in STEM subjects. Polaris currently offers the following middle school courses: Automation & Robotics, Design & Modeling, Green Architecture and Medical Detectives.

Not to be outdone, the Polaris high school satellite STEM programs at Berea-Midpark, Fairview, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls and Strongsville High Schools also received the PLTW Distinguished School designation and were recognized for their commitment to excellence. This is no small feat as a small percentage of high schools nationwide received this award. To be considered, the schools had to meet multiple criteria in the 2023-24 school year such as number of PLTW courses available to students, percent of students enrolled in PLTW and percent of students taking more than one PLTW course.

PLTW high school programs prepare today’s students for the careers of tomorrow, by not only incorporating STEM skills into their learning but building students’ collaboration, teamwork and communication skills so they can be ready for whatever path they take. Polaris currently offers high school Project Lead the Way classes in Biomedical Science and Engineering. These innovative and engaging programs prepare students for college and exciting STEM-related career opportunities.

“We are proud to honor Polaris for their commitment to providing students with exceptional educational experiences through PLTW programs,” said Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW President and CEO. "This award celebrates their dedication to student achievement and their focus on empowering students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in school and a wide range of post-secondary opportunities.”

About Project Lead the Way

For nearly 30 years, Project Lead The Way (PLTW) has prepared PreK–12 students for careers, college and life by equipping them with the STEM knowledge, credential preparation, transferable skills and confidence to succeed. Our hands-on, real-world learning, deep industry partnerships and clear, scaffolded curriculum guide students from early career curiosity to postsecondary readiness. With strong professional development taught by a national network of more than 116,000 trained teachers in 12,200+ schools across all 50 states, PLTW enables schools to design scalable, future-focused programs that inspire students, empower educators and connect learning to life after graduation. Visit pltw.org to learn more.

For additional information, contact Doug Miller at dmiller@polaris.edu or 440.891.7609.

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