District 15 junior highs lauded for STEM performance

All four Palatine Township Elementary District 15 junior high schools have received praise for their performance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, commonly referred to as STEM by educators.

The junior highs - Walter Sundling and Winston Campus in Palatine, and Carl Sandburg and Plum Grove in Rolling Meadows - have been named Distinguished Schools for 2019 by Project Lead The Way, a nationwide nonprofit organization that offers high-quality STEM programs.

Only nine Illinois junior highs and middle schools were recognized by Project Lead the Way. The organization lauded 148 schools nationwide.

In part, the honor goes to schools committed to increasing student access, engagement and achievement in the Project Lead the Way program.

District 15's STEM coordinator, Colleen Seick, said Project Lead the Way has provided a "challenging, robust and engaging curriculum for our students."

"It is a great honor to recognize District 15's junior high schools for their commitment to students," Project Lead the Way President and CEO Vince Bertram said in a statement. "They are a model for what school should look like, and they should be very proud of ensuring students have the knowledge and skills to be career ready and successful on any career path they choose."