Press Releases

ACES at Chase Earns 7th Project Lead the Way Distinction Award

May 24th, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(Waterbury, CT – May 23, 2024) - Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is pleased to announce that ACES at Chase, an Interdistrict STEAM Magnet School, has received the highly coveted "Distinguished School" award from Project Lead the Way (PLTW). This prestigious recognition, awarded for the seventh time, is a testament to ACES at Chase's unwavering commitment to providing exceptional project-based learning and reinforces the school’s ability to establish a top-tier 9th-grade education.

The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for this designation, ACES at Chase had to meet various criteria, such as the percentage of students participating in PLTW, the percentage of students who participate in more than one PLTW unit, the number of PLTW units offered, and efforts to ensure equitable access to PLTW courses.

ACES at Chase earned the Distinguished School recognition for its commitment to providing all students with access to an engaging, high-quality curriculum each year. With a strong focus on personalized learning and innovative instructional practices, the school has nurtured a culture of intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity among its students. These efforts are expected to be reflected in the school’s new 9th-grade curriculum, where ACES at Chase will pioneer into the world of high school education.

As a PLTW Distinguished School, ACES at Chase continues to push the boundaries of magnet school education, embracing emerging technologies and pedagogical approaches to prepare students for the rapidly evolving world. With a dedicated team of educators and a supportive community, the school remains steadfast in its pursuit of excellence in magnet high school education, empowering students to become confident, compassionate, and responsible global citizens.

The Distinguished School award serves as a testament to the exemplary achievements of ACES at Chase and its commitment to providing a transformative educational experience. This prestigious recognition reinforces the school's position as a leader in education and serves as an inspiration for other institutions striving to make a positive impact. Executive Director Thomas Danehy remarked, “We are so proud to have such an achieving school within our family. ACES at Chase continues to impress us with the exceeding levels of expectations it sets for itself. I cannot think of a better recipient for this award.”

ACES at Chase 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 Program Recognition.

For more information about ACES at Chase, its educational programs, high school transition, and opportunities to apply for the school lottery for fall 2024, please visit ACES at Chase.

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About ACES:

Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is the regional educational service center for New Haven and parts of Middlesex Counties. Established in 1969, ACES strives each day to fulfill its vision of creating an equitable and socially just world, one life at a time. ACES serves its members districts and others through an ever-growing array of programs, services, and schools that meet the needs of a changing educational landscape. As a school district, ACES operates three magnet and eight special education schools. ACES services range from transportation, professional development, school improvement services, technology, translation, international, security, and occupational and physical therapy. ACES operates the Open and Magnet School Parent Choice programs for New Haven County. Its programs include a federally funded Early Head Start Program and ACES ACCESS, a vocational and life skills program for developmentally and physically disabled adults ages 21 and older. For more information, go to www.aces.org.

About PLTW:

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) equips PreK-12 students for a STEM-driven world with teacher-empowered curriculum in computer science, engineering, biomedical science, and more. For over 25 years, PLTW’s curriculum coupled with its best-in-class professional development has supported teachers in creating an environment to make every student STEM successful. As a national nonprofit organization, PLTW is proud to reach 2.5 million students in elementary, middle and high schools in all 50 states. With over 100,000 trained teachers nationwide, PLTW brings relevant, hands-on learning to classrooms across the country. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.