Atholton's Pre-Engineering Academy, also known as Project Lead the Way, offers a dynamic high school program that provides students with real-world learning and hands-on experience oriented towards engineering. Students interested in engineering, bio-mechanics, aeronautics, and other applied math and science arenas will discover PLTW is an exciting portal into these industries. This academy is part a national curriculum that articulates through major universities in various states. Students can earn articulated college credits through the five classes offered at Atholton High School. The University of Maryland Baltimore County offers articulated credit for students, if they choose, after their first year (ENGI 101 Only) (4 Credits). Students at Atholton have received credit at UMBC (which is received when the student chooses to attend UMBC), or at the Rochester Institute of Technology (students receive 4 credits per class).
The Pre-Engineering Academy
Atholton's Pre-Engineering Academy is a four-year sequence of five course, which when combined with mathematics and science courses, introduces students to the scope, rigor, and discipline of engineering prior to entering college. In ninth, tenth, eleventh grades students build a foundation of engineering knowledge, and skills. In the senior year, students take Engineering Design and Development, where they design and build solutions to authentic engineering problems. These self-directed projects are mentored by engineers.
Prerequisites and Requirements
Pre-Engineering Academy students must enter the program in the ninth grade. Students will take Introduction to Engineering design and must be concurrently enrolled in Algebra I/Data Analysis as a minimum level mathematics course.
You also must...
Students are required to take four years of math. Students are also encouraged to apply for summer internship work with local engineering firms. Although, this is not required.
You also must...
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA in all academy course work
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA in Mathematics
Students are required to take four years of math. Students are also encouraged to apply for summer internship work with local engineering firms. Although, this is not required.
Students who would benefit from additional support for making career academic choices and preparing for college and employment should enroll in Career Research and Development I (CRD I) as early as possible. Students seeking engineering degrees are advised to take at least two years of World Language. Students seeking degrees in engineering are also advised to enroll in four years of a high level math and Physics (GT and AP) and Chemistry.
Recommended High School Schedule
Ninth (9th Grade) Tenth (10 Grade)
English (9) Honors English (10) Honors
Algebra I/Data Analysis (Geometry) Geometry (Algebra II)
Biology GT Chemistry GT
US History American Goverment
Spanish I Spanish II
Lifetime Fitness/Health Fine Arts Art I
Introduction to Principles of Engineering GT-680M
Engineering Design—681M
(Honors and Technology Credit)
Eleventh (11th Grade) Twelfth (12th Grade)
English (11) Honors English (12) Honors
Algebra II (Pre-Calculas) Pre-Calculus (Calculus AB)
Physics GT Physics AP
World History *Elective
Spanish III/*Elective *Elective
Digital Electronics—GT *Elective
Computer Integrated Design GT Engineering Design and Development GT
Recommended High School Schedule
Ninth (9th Grade) Tenth (10 Grade)
English (9) Honors English (10) Honors
Algebra I/Data Analysis (Geometry) Geometry (Algebra II)
Biology GT Chemistry GT
US History American Goverment
Spanish I Spanish II
Lifetime Fitness/Health Fine Arts Art I
Introduction to Principles of Engineering GT-680M
Engineering Design—681M
(Honors and Technology Credit)
Eleventh (11th Grade) Twelfth (12th Grade)
English (11) Honors English (12) Honors
Algebra II (Pre-Calculas) Pre-Calculus (Calculus AB)
Physics GT Physics AP
World History *Elective
Spanish III/*Elective *Elective
Digital Electronics—GT *Elective
Computer Integrated Design GT Engineering Design and Development GT