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September 22, 2020P-TECH Has Over 50 Students Seeking a Dual High School and College Degree
Seeking a new technological future and a free college education, slightly more than 50 students are enrolled in the Capital Region BOCES Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P – TECH) as it launches its third year.
The students – who hail from districts as diverse as Cobleskill-Richmondville and Watervliet, Schenectady and Shenendehowa – are learning on the (P – TECH) west campus at Center for Advanced Technology at Mohonasen, as well as the east campus at Watervliet Junior-Senior High School.
The students are also enrolled in classes at Hudson Valley Community College and SUNY Schenectady County Community College.
“Going to P-TECH gives me a better opportunity in my schooling and prepares me better for a career,” said Giovani D’Andreti, a sophomore from Schalmont.
“P-TECH allows me to earn college credits and gives me a better opportunity than I would receive otherwise,” added classmate Alyssa Ingle from Guilderland.
The students from a dozen area school districts brought the innovative four- to six-year program (grades 9-14) enrollment to 51 students for the start of the 2020-21 school year.
“I want to go into bio medical engineering and help soldiers returning home without limbs be able to high five a friend, or hold their own kids again,” said Ingle.
“I am here because it looks like a lot of fun and it will give me a head start on life. It’s hands-on and they are more open to hear your voice and want you to pitch ideas and hear from you.” added classmate Anthony DiMascio from Schalmont.
P-TECH is offered to students throughout the region through a consortium that includes Capital Region BOCES, the Capital Region Chamber, Hudson Valley Community College and SUNY Schenectady County Community College.
The program provides pathways for students to earn free college degrees in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems and Cybersecurity.
“P-TECH is important to me because I would like a career in cybersecurity. It is great to be back in school so that we can get more support and experiences with the teachers,” said sophomore Jahmaire Thom of Watervliet.
Junior Danyal Akhtar of Watervliet said the school year is already going well.
“We have more interaction with the teachers than when were distance learning last school year and the two college classes I am taking are going well,” he said. “It is great to be taking these classes as a junior in high school.”
