John M. Clayton Elementary receives national recognition

FRANKFORD - John M. Clayton Elementary School announced Friday in a press release that it has been recognized as a 2023-24 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School.

This honor is given to a select number of elementary schools across the U.S. for providing broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW Launch, an elementary STEM curriculum.

PLTW is a national nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in schools across the U.S., aiming to make every child in every grade STEM successful.

“For five years in a row, Mrs. Jaime Swartz's dedication and innovative teaching methodologies has consistently set the standard for excellence in STEM education,” said JMC Principal Allisa Booth. “Project Lead the Way is not just a program; it's a philosophy that empowers educators and students alike to embrace real-world challenges with creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.”

Ms. Booth said Mrs. Swartz embodies “this ethos, inspiring her students to explore the realms of science, technology, engineering and math with enthusiasm and curiosity. At John M. Clayton Elementary, we believe in the transformative power of education and Mrs. Swartz exemplifies this belief every day in her classroom. Her commitment to fostering a love for learning and equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in an ever-evolving world is truly commendable.”

In addition, Millsboro Middle School was named a PLTW Distinguished Gateway School for 2023-2024 for a third consecutive year.

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, John M. Clayton Elementary had to have more than 75 % of the student body participating in the program and had to offer at least one PLTW Launch module at each grade level during the 2022-23 school year. 

Studies show that students decide as early as elementary school whether they like, and think they are good at math and science. Whether designing a car safety belt or building digital animations based on their own short stories, PLTW Launch students engage in critical and creative thinking, build teamwork skills, and develop a passion for and confidence in STEM subjects. 

“We are honored to recognize John M. Clayton Elementary for its commitment to providing students with exceptional educational experiences while ensuring equitable access to PLTW programs,” said Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW President and CEO. "We congratulate them on this achievement and celebrate their dedication to empowering students with the knowledge and skills to succeed, not only in STEM subjects, but also preparing them for future careers and life beyond the classroom."

JMC is part of a community comprised of PreK-12 schools, colleges and universities, and corporate and philanthropic partners across the country united around a commitment to providing students with inspiring, engaging, and empowering learning opportunities.

For more information about PLTW’s Distinguished Program Recognition, visit pltw.org/our-programs/program-recognition. 

For more information on John M. Clayton’s PLTW Launch program, contact teacher Jaime Swartz at (302) 732-3808 or Jaime.Swartz@irsd.k12.de.us.