On March 16, after New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that two photonics companies would bring hundreds of new technology jobs to Rochester, Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Hochul visited Bergen to meet some of the young people who will be powering the region’s future growth.
She found them at the Western New York Tech Academy, an early college high school for students in grades 9 through 14 who are preparing for a high-skill, financially stable career in STEM–related (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) industries.
The WNY Tech Academy, now in its second year of operation, is located at Byron-Bergen Junior/Senior High School. A grant provided by NYS P-TECH funds the school and serves 15 school districts. Hochul’s tour of the school’s new campus adds to the growing recognition that the WNY Tech Academy and its exceptional project-based learning environment is a vital part of preparing students for the high tech jobs that will dominate the economy.
WNY Tech Academy Principal Thomas Schulte and Byron-Bergen CSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Jon Hunter welcomed Hochul and introduced her to the unique six-year program. Students complete all required credits for a NYS Regents diploma and then move on to a no-cost, two-year Associate of Applied Science degree from Genesee Community College. They can then focus on three career pathways of high volume food production, supply chain management or accounting.
“Right now, we partner with 18 companies in a variety of industries, and over 30 business mentors work individually with students on a weekly basis,” said Schulte. “Companies are clamoring for good talent, but they want candidates who have more than just technical skills. Successful employees must have strong professional skills as well. It’s our mission to provide a balanced educational program that meets both of these needs.”
The WNY Tech Academy continues to grow with a fourth career pathway, nanotechnology, to be added to the program options for the 2017-18 school year. Staff members plan to include many more creative integrated learning opportunities for students.
As explained to the visiting Hochul, a proposed high-tech agricultural initiative will integrate all three current career pathways through a “smart” greenhouse. Schulte said, “We don’t want to just operate a greenhouse, we want to identify and track critical variables to growing produce. Students will be creating a micro-environment that mirrors not just food-production facilities, but manufacturing in general.”
Freshmen recruitment for the 2016-17 school year is starting now amongst current eighth-graders. Students interested in learning more should visit www.wnytechacademy.org or contact the school at 494-1220 ext. 3116.
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