Baystate Academy Charter Public School Receives National Recognition

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Academy Charter Public School announced it has been recognized as a 2025-26 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School for the fourth consecutive year.

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 biomedical science program, Baystate Academy is helping students develop transferable skills needed to succeed in an evolving future.

This program provides students with real-world experiences to support its mission of training and exposing students to the health science industry. 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, Baystate Academy 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 Baystate Academy for giving students hands-on, career-connected learning that builds the confidence, knowledge, and skills to navigate their futures,” said 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.”

Baystate Academy 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.