OHS Named Intel School of Distinction Finalist

is being recognized by Intel for their innovative science program as one of the contenders in the 2012 Intel Schools of Distinction Awards. Intel has released the following information regarding OHS' achievement:

Intel Corporation today named 18 U.S. schools as finalists in the 2012 Intel Schools of Distinction Awards.

The winning schools, to be honored in September at an awards reception in Washington, D.C., serve as outstanding examples of leaders in preparing tomorrow's innovators.

Each of the 18 schools will receive $5,000 from the Intel Foundation and a trip to Washington, D.C. in September when six schools will be named Intel Schools of Distinction. These six schools will each win an additional $5,000 from the Intel Foundation and a package of goods and services with a total value of approximately $500,000 split among the schools.

One of the six schools will also be selected as "Star Innovator" and will receive $25,000 from the Intel Foundation, and additional prizes and services from sponsors.

Intel sponsors the Schools of Distinction Awards to honor schools for implementing innovative math and science programs and serving as models for other schools.

"The schools selected as Intel Schools of Distinction are leaders in preparing their students to become America's next generation of thinkers and doers," said Shelly Esque, vice president of Intel's Corporate Affairs Group and president of the Intel Foundation. "Intel is recognizing these schools as exemplary models of what can be achieved through hard work and innovation in the areas of math and science."

The Schools of Distinction program honors schools that provide a rich, rigorous science or mathematics curriculum incorporating hands-on investigative experiences which prepare students for 21st century jobs. Programs focus on solving real-life problems as a team and encourage student achievement while helping students become knowledgeable consumers of news and data in order to be active and informed citizens.

The 18 finalist schools are:

Science – High Schools: Boston Latin School (Boston, Mass.), Gatton Academy (Bowling, Ky.), Ossining High School (Ossining, N.Y.)

Science – Elementary Schools: Gary And Bobbye Jack Minshew Elementary School (McKinney, Texas), Legacy Elementary School (Madison, Ala.), W. Melbourne Elementary School for Science (West Melbourne, Fla.)

Science – Middle Schools: Edison Computech Middle School (Fresno, Calif.), Ni River Middle School (Spotsylvania, Va.), Penn Alexander School (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Mathematics – Elementary Schools: Dana Elementary School (Dana, N.C.), Forest Hills School (Florence, Ala.), Legacy Elementary School (Madison, Ala.)

Mathematics – Middle Schools: Dowell Middle School (McKinney, Texas), St. Therese Chinese Catholic School (Chicago, Ill.), Technology Access Foundation Academy (Kent, Wash.)

Mathematics – High Schools: Baruch College Campus High School (New York, N.Y.), Peachtree Ridge High School (Peachtree, Ga.), School of Science and Engineering (Dallas, Texas)

These finalists were chosen from public and private, urban, and suburban schools that participated in the application and judging process.