Brother Rice named a distinguished school for STEM and career learning program

Chicago, IL – Brother Rice High School announced on July 22, 2021, that it has been recognized as a 2020-21 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School. Brother Rice is one of just 204 high schools across the U.S. and one of only ten in Illinois to receive this honor for providing broad access to transformative STEM learning experiences for students through PLTW Engineering. PLTW is a nonprofit STEM education organization that serves millions of students and teachers in over 12,200 schools across the U.S. 

“We are thrilled to have received this honor,” said Derek Van Dyke, PLTW Program Coordinator at Brother Rice. “This award validates the support of our school leadership, the tireless efforts of our PLTW teachers, and the exceptional passion and motivation exhibited by our students. PLTW Engineering offers our STEM-inspired students rigorous courses that fit their interests and gives them a head start on their college journey. We are so proud of the efforts and achievements of our students and faculty and look forward to celebrating their future accomplishments in college, career, and life.” 

President and CEO of PLTW Dr. Vince Bertram said, “It is a great honor to recognize Brother Rice for their unwavering commitment to provide students with an excellent educational experience despite the unusual circumstances and unique challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented to the educational landscape this past year. They should be very proud of their achievements in unlocking their students’ potential and equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in life beyond the classroom, no matter what career path they choose.”

Brother Rice is part of a broad community of K-12  schools, colleges, and universities, and corporate and philanthropic partners across the country united around a passion for providing students with inspiring, engaging, and empowering STEM learning opportunities. For more information about PLTW, visit the website at pltw.org.

For more information about the PLTW Engineering program at Brother Rice High School, contact Derek Van Dyke at 773-429-4300 or dvandyke@brrice.org.