P.K. Yonge Receives National Recognition from Project Lead The Way for Excellence in Career Connected Learning
Named a distinguished school for transforming the student experience through
real-world connection and workforce-aligned pathways
P.K. Yonge announced that it has been recognized as a 2025-26 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School. It is among a select group of high schools across the U.S. to receive this honor for its commitment to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in career-connected learning. Through its PLTW Engineering program, P.K. Yonge is helping students develop transferable skills needed to succeed in an evolving future.
“Being recognized as a PLTW Distinguished School reflects P.K. Yonge’s commitment to preparing students for success beyond the classroom through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences,” said Dr. Ashley Pennypacker Hill, P.K. Yonge secondary principal. “Our PLTW Engineering program challenges students to think critically, solve real-world problems, and collaborate in ways that mirror today’s workforce. We are proud to provide opportunities that help students discover their passions while building the skills and confidence needed for their future careers.”
PLTW is a national nonprofit organization that creates transformative learning experiences and empowers students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills for future careers.
The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for the designation, P.K. Yonge had to meet multiple criteria in the 2024-25 school year, such as the number of PLTW courses available to students, the percentage of students enrolled in PLTW, and the percentage of students taking more than one PLTW course.
“We are proud to honor P.K. Yonge for giving students hands-on, career-connected learning that builds the confidence, knowledge, and skills to navigate their futures,” said Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW President and CEO. “Their commitment to real-world, project-based learning ensures students experience education that is meaningful and directly connected to what comes next.”
P.K. Yonge is part of a national community of PreK-12 schools, higher education institutions, and more than 100 industry partners united in the mission to prepare students for school, work, and life. For more information about PLTW’s Distinguished Program Recognition, visit https://www.pltw.org/pltw-program-recognition
About PLTW Engineering
PLTW Engineering empowers high school students to step into the role of an engineer and adopt a problem-solving mindset. Students engage in collaborative, real-life activities like working with a client to design a home, programming electronic devices or robotic arms, and exploring algae as a biofuel source. These activities not only build knowledge and skills in engineering, but also empower students to develop essential skills such as problem solving, critical and creative thinking, and collaboration.
About PLTW
PLTW For nearly 30 years, Project Lead The Way (PLTW) has prepared PreK–12 students for careers, college, and life by equipping them with the STEM knowledge, credential preparation, transferable skills, and confidence to succeed. Its hands-on, real-world learning, deep industry partnerships and clear, scaffolded curriculum guide students from early career curiosity to postsecondary readiness. With strong professional development and a national network of more than 116,000 trained teachers in 12,200+ schools across all 50 states, PLTW enables schools to design scalable, future-focused programs that inspire students, empower educators, and connect learning to life after graduation. Visit pltw.org to learn more.