Eighteen schools have been named as finalists for the Intel Schools of Distinction Awards. The annual program honors schools for implementing innovative and replicable math and science programs that produce positive educational results. Schools compete for $1 million in grants and awards from the Intel Foundation and sponsoring companies. The winners will be announced in June.
The 18 finalists were chosen from both public and private schools and from urban and suburban neighborhoods. The finalists, representing a wide range of successful programs, are by category:
Mathematics Excellence – The finalist schools offer their students a rigorous, challenging and engaging program that teaches mathematics skills and how to apply them to solve real-life problems, approach projects as a member of a team, and communicate succinctly on the subject. The schools' mathematics curriculum includes a variety of 21st century instructional strategies that incorporate critical thinking skills and hands-on experiences to ensure high levels of achievement for all students.
Elementary
First Street Elementary School
Garrisonville Elementary
Sojourner School
Canonsburg, Pa.
Stafford, Va.
Milwaukie, Ore.
Middle School
Carle Place Middle Senior High School
Delay Middle School
St. Joan of Arc School
Carle Place, N.Y.
Lewisville, Texas
Indianapolis, Ind.
High School
Orange High School
Sabino High School
Summit Preparatory High School
Pepper Pike, Ohio
Tucson, Ariz.
Redwood City, Calif.
Science Excellence – The finalist schools provide a rich science curriculum incorporating hands-on investigative experiences that prepare students for 21st century jobs. Programs encourage student achievement in sciences and engineering, while simultaneously helping students to become knowledgeable consumers of news and data in order to be active and informed citizens. Programs are designed to meet the needs of all students, incorporating a variety of instructional strategies, and meeting rigorous education industry standards and assessment benchmarks.
Elementary
Edgewood Science, Math & Technology
Kenneth Carberry Intermediate School
Laguna Elementary School
Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Emmett, Idaho
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Middle School
Farnsworth Middle School
Key Peninsula Middle School
Palm Desert Middle School
Guilderland, N.Y.
Lakebay, Wash.
Palm Desert, Calif.
High School
McLean High School
Shawnee Mission South High School
Townsend Harris High School
McLean, Va.
Shawnee Mission, Kan.
Flushing, N.Y.
As a reflection of the exceptional quality of this year's finalists, the Intel Foundation has decided to award $2,500 to each of the finalist schools – the first such award in the program's five-year history. Three winners – one elementary, one middle school and one high school – will be selected in each of the two categories. To honor their extraordinary commitment to educational excellence and innovation, each winning school will receive an additional $7,500 cash grant from the Intel Foundation and an award package including curriculum materials, professional development resources, hardware and software valued at more than $150,000 per school. Award sponsors include Dell Computers, eInstruction, and SMART Technologies.
Representatives from the winning schools will attend a series of events in Washington, D.C. beginning with a black tie Gala on September 7 and concluding with an awards event on September 9 at which one school from this year's honorees will be named "Star Innovator."
The Star Innovator School will receive an additional $15,000 grant from the Intel Foundation as well as additional products and services from the sponsors, bringing the value of the Star Innovator award to more than $200,000.
The school winning this award must have a comprehensive program incorporating innovative and effective use of technology, engaging parents and the community in students' education, fostering professional development and teamwork, and delivering consistent achievement of high academic standards. For more information about the Intel Schools of Distinction Awards, visit www.schoolsofdistinction.com.
Through the Intel Education initiative, Intel invests more than $100 million annually in its efforts to accelerate 21st century learning. Intel's vision is to help equip young people with the skills required to succeed in today's workforce that will in turn fuel global economic growth and innovation. For more information, visit www.intel.com/education.