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Facts About Tech Valley High School
TECH
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL is an innovative regional public high school
that is a joint venture of Questar III and Capital Region BOCES
to prepare students to participate in the region’s growing
high-tech economy by engaging them in a unique focus on math,
science, technology and 21st century skills.
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VISION: Tech Valley High School serves as a
model— in the region, the state and beyond—of
innovative public education that is based in
strong partnerships and focuses on educating and
inspiring students to embrace the increasingly
important world of math and science. * |
MISSION: Tech Valley High School provides a
unique and innovative student-centered
educational opportunity, engages students in
current emerging technologies and supports the
growth and economy of the region. * |
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*
Developed in 2005 by a special committee of the
Business Alliance for Tech Valley High School.
The committee included stakeholders from K-12
education, business and higher education. |
COLLABORATION: One of the most unusual
elements of the school is that it is being
shaped—and will be sustained—through an
unprecedented partnership of stakeholders: K-12
educators, higher education, business, organized
labor and government. This partnership helps
assure that the school continues to evolve as
the region
evolves and remains dynamic and on the
cutting–edge. |
INNOVATION: Innovation pervades the school:
- in
teaching and learning which is
project-based;
- in the
curriculum which is relevant integrated,
active and engaging - and will ideally serve
as a model locally and nationally;
- in the
opportunity it provides to observe and
participate in actual business work
environments; and
- in its
ability to enrich all schools in the region
as a laboratory for teaching methodology and
curriculum.
In addition, Tech
Valley High School has been selected as part of
the
New Technology Foundation network of
schools, giving the school access to the
collective experience and wisdom of a
leading-edge network of schools, so it can use
best practices—and help develop and refine
promising practices, right here in Tech Valley. |
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SIZE: When at full-capacity, the school will be a
“small school” with up to 400 students in grades 9-12.
It draws from the 48 school districts of Questar III and
Capital Region BOCES, which serve seven counties,
including Albany, Columbia, Rensselaer, Schenectady,
Schoharie, southern Saratoga and parts of Greene.
In fall 2007, Tech
Valley High School launched with 40 freshmen,
located initially at Pitney Bowes Software
(formerly MapInfo headquarters) in the
Rensselaer Technology Park, Troy. In fall 2008,
the school will add up to 40 freshmen. Starting
in fall 2009, each incoming freshman class will
have up to 100 students. The school is now
looking for a permanent location in Rensselaer
County along the I-90 corridor.
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LEARNING:
Students attend for a full day and take all
academic subjects within a project-based
learning environment that emphasizes an
integrated math and science curriculum and
focuses on preparing students with the skills to
succeed in the region’s emerging technologies –
biotechnology, nanotechnology, advanced
materials, alternative energies and information
technology. |
TEACHING:
Team-teaching, cross-curricular projects and/or
integrated courses are the hallmarks of all
teaching and learning. Partners from area
businesses, higher education, organized labor
and government assist in developing projects and
serve as mentors and field experts for both
students and teachers throughout the learning
process. Teachers are highly qualified and
committed to the project-based learning
philosophy. All teachers are certified in the
subject areas they instruct, and possess
credentials required by New York State. |
UNIQUENESS:
Three aspects make Tech Valley High School
unique in New York State:
- Immersion
in a real-life, project-based learning
environment.
- Curriculum
focused on preparing students with skills to
support the emerging technologies in New
York State’s Tech Valley.
- An
unprecedented partnership between K-12
educators, higher education, business,
organized labor and government.
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