Blue Mountain Continues Excellence with Repeat PLTW Gateway Distinguished School Designation

Blue Mountain Middle School has once again been recognized for its commitment to innovative, hands-on learning, earning designation as a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Gateway Distinguished School for the second consecutive year.

The honor is awarded to a select group of middle schools nationwide that provide broad access to transformative STEAM learning experiences through PLTW Gateway, a program designed for students in grades 6–8. To receive this distinction, Blue Mountain met rigorous criteria, including strong student participation, opportunities for students to engage in multiple PLTW units, and a demonstrated commitment to equitable access to coursework.

"Being recognized by Project Lead the Way reflects our students’ curiosity and our staff’s dedication to meaningful learning," said Blue Mountain Principal Dr. William X. Toro. "I am incredibly proud of our students and staff for earning this honor through their hard work and commitment."

At Blue Mountain, students engage in PLTW Gateway modules throughout all three grade levels, including Computer Science, App Inventor, and Design & Modeling. Courses are brought to life by dedicated educators, including Paul Gioacchini and Logan Krause in Art & Design, and Christine Froman in Tech for Communications, who guide students through real-world problem-solving and creative exploration.

For many students, the program offers a meaningful shift in how they learn. “As a visual learner, listening to teachers talk for 40 minutes was never in my favor,” said seventh grader Ada Flannery. “In Art & Design and Tech for Communication, watching my teachers give examples of coding and being able to see it neatly organized right in front of my eyes benefited me greatly.”

In celebration of this achievement, Blue Mountain will receive a PLTW Distinguished School banner. Hendrick Hudson High School will also be recognized with a banner after earning PLTW Distinguished School status for the ninth consecutive year—the only high school in New York State to achieve this milestone.

Together, these honors reflect the district’s continued investment in providing students with engaging, future-focused learning experiences that prepare them for success in an increasingly innovative world.