Amelia High School has received the Project Lead The Way grant for the 2006-2007 school year.

The project is being offered at Amelia High in cooperation with the Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development.

Introducing the project to the West Clermont Board of Education at its Sept. 25 meeting were Amelia High School principal Keith Hickman, Great Oaks CEO Dr. Robin White, and Great Oaks Assistant Dean for Satellite Programs Mike Fritz.

“Project Lead The Way is a national program with one major goal,” explained Fritz. “We need to grow the nation’s technology workforce. This new pilot program at Amelia High School will steer students towards engineering jobs and careers. Combined with college-prep mathematics and science, the program gives interested students a head start and an introduction to the discipline and scope of engineering and engineering technology before entering college.”

In all, 87 students expressed interest, registered, and began the three-year curriculum in engineering design when the school year commenced last month. The West Clermont School District has been in partnership with Great Oaks for 12 years; the district is one of the 35 school districts that make up the Oaks.

“We at Great Oaks have a great, special, and valued relationship with the West Clermont School District,” said Dr. White in her remarks to the board. “This year, Amelia High School students registered in the Lead The Way program join the more than 263 students in our full-time workforce development programs. This is a very exciting program.”

The Project Lead The Way program, which was developed in the early 1980’s, is an educational initiative offered in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

Designed as a partnership between public schools, higher learning institutions, and the private sector, its goal is to increase the quantity and quality of engineers that graduate from the education system.

“We are thrilled to have received the grant enabling us to partner with Great Oaks for this worthwhile program,” said West Clermont Superintendent Dr. Gary Brooks.

In other business, the board recognized the five West Clermont school district administrators and staff members of the schools that received an excellent rating from the Ohio Department of Education.

Brooks read a proclamation recognizing the outstanding achievements of Amelia Middle School, Clough Pike Elementary, Glen Este Middle School, Summerside Elementary, and Willowville Elementary.

Along with the thanks of the board, each of the five schools received a plaque and a recognition certificate.

Board President JoAnn Beamer thanked all of the twelve schools in the West Clermont district for their dedication and commitment to academic excellence.