The science, technology, engineering and math—or STEM—school is one of six statewide designated as STEM Lighthouse Schools by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Along with the honor, each school also receives a $20,000 grant that will promote and develop STEM education, including technical assistance and advice for other elementary, middle and high schools that are creating their own STEM environments.
In addition to iTech Prep, the following also joined the 2015 class: East Farms Elementary, East Valley (Spokane) School District; Martin Sortun Elementary, Kent School District; Saghalie Middle School, Federal Way School District; Spokane Valley Tech, Central Valley (Spokane) School District; and Weyerhaeuser Elementary, Eatonville School District. Twenty-three other Washington schools have received the award since 2011.
“It’s a great honor to be chosen as a lighthouse school,” said Randy Dorn, state superintendent. “It makes those schools leaders in STEM education. Other schools will look to the six for guidance on how successfully teach STEM.”