PLTW is a nonprofit organization that provides STEM curricula in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in schools across the U.S. The PLTW Distinguished District recognition honors districts committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. Each school in the district received the 2024-2025 PLTW Distinguished School award.
To be eligible for the designation, both middle schools had to meet a variety of criteria such as a certain percentage of the student body participating in PLTW, participation in two or more units during their time at school, offering at least one PLTW Gateway unit at each middle school grade level, and having strategies in place to ensure equitable access to students.
Central and Madison Middle Schools have been PLTW Gateway Distinguished Schools for eight consecutive years since the district received a $1.7 million Signature Community Initiative grant from Phillips 66 that funded Innovation Labs in those schools. ConocoPhillips has provided ongoing annual support for the district's PLTW programs, and the district now sustains its PLTW programs through a combination of state vocational education funding, federal funding, and local bond issue allocations.
“We are proud to honor Bartlesville Public Schools for their commitment to providing students with exceptional educational experiences through PLTW programs,” said Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW President and CEO. "This achievement 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.”