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Tech Valley High School - Frequently Asked
Questions
General Questions about Tech Valley High School
What is Tech Valley High
School?
Tech Valley High School is a
new regional public high school open to students in the 48 component school
districts of Questar III and Capital Region BOCES. It provides students a
unique opportunity to participate in an innovative educational model centered
on project-based learning and focuses on inspiring students to embrace math,
science and technology. It engages students in current emerging technologies,
and supports the region’s growth and economy. One of the most unusual elements
of the school is that it is being shaped by an unprecedented partnership of
stakeholders – K-12 educators, higher education, business, organized labor and
government. It is the first school of its kind in the Northeast. It is a joint
venture of Questar III and Capital Region BOCES.
What
are the benefits of Tech Valley High School to public education and to the
region?
There are numerous
benefits to both, including:
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It provides another choice
in public education; our local school districts are committed to expanding
the range of opportunities for more than 124,000 students in the region.
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It is a laboratory for
developing innovative teaching methodology and curriculum that will be
shared with 48 school districts in seven counties, thus enriching all
schools in the region.
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Its concepts and practices
are available for replication in the region, across the state and the
nation.
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It helps stem the region’s
and state’s brain drain by engaging students in all Tech Valley has to
offer.
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It supports economic
development and higher education initiatives throughout the region.
How
many students will Tech Valley High School serve?When
at full-capacity,
Tech Valley High School will be a “small
school” with no more than 400 students in grades 9-12, drawn from 48 school
districts within Questar III and Capital Region BOCES. These BOCES 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
western Rensselaer County along the I-90 corridor.
How is the voice of the community represented in
implementing Tech Valley High School?
The school is being shaped
by an unprecedented partnership of stakeholders – K-12 educators, higher
education, business, organized labor and government – in an effort to enrich
student experience and potential and help prepare students for living and
working in the 21st century. To this end, and in accordance with
state legislation, the Business Alliance for Tech Valley High School was
formed. Also at the recommendation of the Questar III and Capital Region BOCES
district superintendents, the Business Alliance formed three teams to work
towards the school’s successful implementation. Using the school’s Strategic
Framework and Strategic Operating Plan, developed in collaboration with K-12
educators and the Business Alliance, nearly 100 stakeholders served on these
teams.
What is unique about Tech Valley High School?
Three
aspects make Tech Valley High School unique in New York State:
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Immersion in a real-life, project-based learning environment.
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Curriculum focusing on preparing students with the skills they need to
support the emerging technologies in New York State’s Tech Valley.
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An
unprecedented partnership between K-12 educators, higher education,
business, organized labor and government.
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