K-12 Blueprint

Resources for planning and implementing technology initiatives

The 2009 Intel Schools of Distinction Winners

September 9, 2009

The Star Innovator

On September 15, at its Schools of Distinction awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., Intel announced the 2009 Star Innovator. Selected from this year's six winners — all of whom were honored at the ceremony — this year's Star Innovator school is the Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy in Aurora, Illinois.

Other Winners

In addition to the Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy, which earned the Star Innovator award for its exemplary high school science programs, five other schools won top honors for their extraordinary commitment to instituting 21st century teaching and learning environments and implementing innovative programs that inspire their students to excel in the areas of math and science. [Visit Intel's Schools of Distinction site.]

Mathematics Excellence:

The winning schools in this category 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. Winning schools in this category are:

Elementary Schools

Cedar Park Elementary School Trumann, AR

Middle Schools

Urban Assembly School for Applied Math and Science Bronx, NY

High Schools

Lynn English High School Lynn, MA

Science Excellence:

The winning 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. Winning schools in this category are:

Elementary Schools

Oakcliff Elementary School Doraville, GA

Middle Schools

Palm Desert Middle School Palm Desert, CA

To honor their extraordinary commitment to educational excellence and innovation, each of the six winning schools will receive a $10,000 cash grant from the Intel Foundation and an award package that includes curriculum materials, professional development resources, hardware and software valued at more than $100,000. This year's award sponsors include: Absolute Software, BrainWare Safari, DyKnow, eInstruction, Elluminate, GlobalScholar, I-CAN, Inspiration Software, Microsoft, Pearson, SAS, Scantron, SMART Technologies and Toshiba.

Intel has been committed to helping students realize the promise of education for decades. Intel annually invests more than $100 million around the world to improve the quality of education, particularly in the fields of math, science and technology. To learn more about Intel's global commitment to education, visit www.intel.com/education.