By Anna Skinner

Hamilton Southeastern Schools ranked second in the nation for the highest number of AP + Project Lead the Way student achievements, a new program that combines College Board and PLTW to introduce more students into STEM learning.

Hamilton Southeastern High School also ranked second in the nation for individual schools with the highest number of students awarded, right behind Aldai E Stevenson High School in Illinois. A combined 49 students from Hamilton Southeastern and Fishers high schools received thee AP + PLTW credentials on their transcripts.

HSE High School Principal Matt Kegley said there are three pathways to PLTW at HSE:  engineering, biomedical science and computer science. To earn AP + PLTW recognition, a student must complete in three courses in a pathway with a satisfactory grade, including on AP course, one PLTW course and a third course of either AP or PLTW.

“It gives the kids a chance to learn more in depth in those particular areas and those particular fields,” Kegley said of the PLTW pathways. “It gives them practical hands-on knowledge in those specific fields.”

“I think it shows colleges and employers that (students) have the ability to follow a program, that they’re committed, that they not only are academically strong, but then also develop some of those softer skills through PLTW and the hands-on application that they wouldn’t necessarily get in other classes,” added Cathy Glick, an AP and PLTW teacher. “It shows colleges and employers that students have a certain set of skills above and beyond what a typical high school student has.”

HSE learned of its individual high school and district ranking earlier this month. For more, visit pltw.org.