Mahopac High School has been named a 2025-26 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School, earning national recognition for the second consecutive year for its commitment to providing students with high-quality learning opportunities in STEM.
Mahopac is among a select group of high schools across the country to receive the distinction from Project Lead The Way, a national nonprofit organization that develops hands-on educational programs designed to prepare students for college and future careers through real-world learning experiences in engineering, computer science and biomedical science.
“This recognition speaks to the strength of our STEM programs and the dedication of both our students and staff,” Mahopac High School Principal Patrick Keevins said. “Our Project Lead The Way courses give students opportunities to challenge themselves and think creatively. We are proud to see the continued growth of the program and honored to receive this distinction for a second year.”
The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to increasing student access, engagement and achievement in PLTW programs. To earn the designation, Mahopac High School met several criteria during the 2024-25 school year, including the number of PLTW courses offered, student participation rates and the percentage of students who continued on to take multiple PLTW courses during their high school experience. Engineering and physics teacher Thomas Mellin and engineering and mathematics teacher Amanda Longo have played key roles in the growth and success of the PLTW program at Mahopac High School.
“It’s exciting to see students grow more confident as they work through challenges and develop skills they can carry into college and future careers,” teacher Thomas Mellin said. “One of the most rewarding parts of the program is watching students return year after year because they enjoy the experience and want to continue building on what they’ve learned.”
