For the third year in a row, Niskayuna High School has been named a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School – a recognition given to only a select group of high schools across the country. The honor highlights Niskayuna’s continued commitment to giving students meaningful, hands-on experiences in computer science, biomedical science and engineering through its PLTW programs.
PLTW is a national nonprofit that helps students build real-world skills in science, technology, engineering, and math—preparing them for college, careers, and life after graduation.
“As a PLTW teacher, I have found the program extremely beneficial for my students. They get a head start in their engineering-related fields before even stepping on a college campus. In addition, they add value to their college admissions applications,” said Niskayuna High School teacher Michael Sogoian. “They also get essential college credits from PLTW RIT, which transfers to many schools! Year after year, students come back letting me know how valuable the program was and how well equipped they felt for their engineering courses. It makes me proud knowing that I am helping prepare our Niskayuna students for their future.”
To earn the Distinguished School title, Niskayuna met several benchmarks during the 2023-24 school year, including offering multiple PLTW courses, enrolling a high percentage of students in those courses, and having many students take more than one.
PLTW programs go beyond the classroom. They encourage students to think creatively, solve real-world problems, and work together – helping students find confidence in their abilities and direction for their futures. Niskayuna is committed to creating learning environments that are engaging, empowering, and built for the future.
“PLTW coursework has provided me with an exceptional hands-on learning experience that has honed my problem solving and leadership skills,” said junior Aarush. “My experience with PLTW coursework has been extremely positive and I highly recommend PLTW courses to all students interested in technology and engineering, especially to those who enjoy collaboration and the direct application of concepts.”
“I will always recommend PLTW courses, especially to new students interested in engineering,” said senior McKenzie. “Not only did PLTW effectively teach me concepts regarding technology, but the curriculum and teachers gave me confidence in my skills before going to college.”
Learn more about PLTW’s Distinguished School recognition here.