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Individualized pathways to careers
Project-based learning
Workplace experiences
Collaborative learning
Partnerships with business,
school and community
A college degree at no cost to families
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GSTSA is a Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH). P-TECH is a new model for secondary education that brings together the best elements of high school, college and the professional world. Students take the lead role in their learning, choosing pathways to their careers and taking college-level, credit-bearing courses from their first year.
The Greater Southern Tier STEM Academy looks and functions similar to a hybrid between college and the workplace. The four- to six-year sequence emphasizes individualized pathways to completion, workplace experiences, mentorship, in-depth project-based learning and real world experiences.
Greater Southern Tier STEM Academy students will complete high school, earn a college degree and be ready to begin a career by the time they graduate. The length of enrollment is tailored to the learning needs and educational goals of each student.
High School
- Students take regular high school courses required
to earn a high school diploma.
- Students receive individual support and guidance
as they plan their high school years and begin taking
college classes.
- Students receive mentoring and internship opportunities
to prepare them for college and competitive careers.
College
- Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree
from Corning Community College at no cost.
- Students take college courses with college
faculty during normal school hours.
- Students may continue their studies at a
four-year college upon graduation.
Career
- Students participate in real work experiences in which
they learn teamwork and develop the skills needed
for professional and personal success.
- Students explore various careers through internship,
coaching and mentoring opportunities provided
by regional business partners.
Greater Southern Tier STEM Academy students are dynamic and diverse. There are no tests to get in - students of all abilities will be accepted.
Greater Southern Tier STEM Academy students:
STEM Academy Students Must Possess At Least One or More of These Educational Needs:
Eighth-graders in participating districts can apply. Along with an application and a form that parents fill out, applicants must submit written recommendations from teachers and school counselors. Applicants also must participate in a personal interview. Each spring, a minimum of 40 students will be accepted for the following school year. School counselors in students' home districts can provide information on application deadlines.
Home school districts will transport students from their home school to the Greater Southern Tier STEM Academy.
Students will be bussed back to their home schools in time to participate in sports and other after-school activities.
Enrollment Packet - the packet contains a Cover Sheet with Important Dates and Requirements, a Student Checklist Form, a Student Application Form, a Counselor Recommendation Form, a Teacher Recommendation Form, and a Parent/Guardian Form
The Greater Southern Tier STEM Academy is a Pathways in Technology Early College High School
(P-TECH) that opened in September 2016 and enrolls a minimum of 40 students each year.
The collaborative partnership of school districts, higher education, and business employers
prepares Students in the Greater Southern Tier for high-skills jobs of the future in advanced
technical manufacturing, clean energy and health care. This 4-6 year model includes college-level,
credit-bearing coursework and allows students to choose their own "pathways" to high-skill jobs.
The GST STEM Academy has redesigned secondary education to offer students opportunities to learn the skills necessary to be successful in STEM careers. The GST STEM Academy provides students with:
The following districts participate in the STEM Academy: Elmira, Addison, Bath, Bradford, Campbell-Savona, Canisteo-Greenwood, Corning-Painted Post, Elmira Heights, Horseheads, Odessa-Montour, Spencer-Van Etten, Watkins Glen and Waverly.
The STEM Academy is located at 2634 Goff Road in Corning, NY. Students spend their ninth- and 10th-grade years at the STEM Academy and their 11th- and 12th-grade years are spent at GST BOCES and Corning Community College. Years 13-14 (if needed) take place at CCC.
A consortium of GST BOCES, its component school districts, Corning Community College and 16 regional businesses applied for and received a statewide grant for $3 million in 2015 to launch the Greater Southern Tier STEM Academy. The Elmira City School District is handling the financial administration duties. School districts pay a tuition fee for students they send to P-TECH, which they can be reimbursed through BOCES aid. The grant covers the rest of the costs associated with the school.
Rob Sherburne serves as the principal of the STEM Academy.
The school employs an English Language Arts teacher, math teacher, science teacher, social studies teacher, DDP teacher, PE/health teacher, Special Education teacher (beginning in fall 2018) and teaching assistants who work closely together to integrate the subjects in lessons. They are assisted by a part-time STEM instructional coach. The school also has a full-time school counselor on staff and will add a college liaison in July 2018.
A student who will succeed at the STEM Academy will:
Eighth-graders in participating districts can apply. Along with an application and a form that parents fill out, applicants must submit written recommendations from teachers and school counselors. All application materials must be submitted to the offices of the middle school counselor in the student's district of residence. Applicants also will participate in an interview session.
Along with an application and a form that parents to fill out, applicants must submit written recommendations from teachers and guidance counselors. Applicants also must participate in a personal interview. Each spring, a minimum of 40 students will be accepted for the following school year. Each district's school counselors can provide information on application deadlines. Completed applications received by the deadline are evaluated by the Recruitment and Admissions Team. Selected students are required to attend a "Summer Bridge" program for incoming students.
Students who meet the requirements but who are not selected will be placed on a waiting list for their school. Should a slot become available before the start of the school year, it will be offered to a student from the waiting list for that school. If all the available slots for a particular school are not filled, a lottery will be held among students on the waiting lists for all the component school districts.
Yes. Because of the way the curriculum is structured to allow for acceleration into college courses, only current eighth-graders are eligible to apply to P-TECH, and students must enter the program their freshman year of high school.
Yes, home school districts will transport students from their home school to P-TECH in the morning, as well as from P-TECH back to their home school in the afternoon.
Physical Education classes are provided through the GST STEM Academy.
Yes, students are bussed back to their home schools in time to participate in sports or other after-school activities.
An education at the GST STEM Academy is highly individualized to each student. Students' curriculum will be adjusted to reflect the appropriate level of subject mastery.
Yes, students will be able to walk with their peers during graduation, although they won’t actually receive their diploma until they complete their selected program pathway.
Advanced Technical Education:
Machine Tool Tech; Mechanical Tech; Electrical Tech
Health Care: Community and Public Health
Clean Energy: Environmental Science; Chemical Tech
Information Technology: Computer and Web Technology
All tuition for credits, labs and books are covered, and students are granted the same privileges as other CCC students. However, room and board are not included.
The regional business partners are committed to serving as mentors for students throughout their program career, meeting with them in person and by virtual communication, as well as guiding internships and putting graduates in line for jobs within their companies. Participating companies are: Corning Incorporated, Hilliard Corporation, Cameron Manufacturing and Design, Hardinge Incorporated, Vulcraft Group, Dresser-Rand A Siemens Business, Southerntier Custom Fabricators, Guthrie Corning Hospital, Arnot Health, Chemung County Health Department and Hunt Engineers, Architects and Surveyors.
Rob Sherburne,
Greater Southern Tier STEM Academy
Principal (rsherburne@gstboces.org)
(607) 739-3581 x1490 or
Sarah Vakkas,
GST BOCES Assistant Superintendent for
Instruction (svakkas@gstboces.org) or
visit our website at
http://www.gstboces.org/stemacademy
"At schools like P-TECH... students will graduate with a high school diploma and an associate degree... We need to give every American student opportunities like this." President Barack Obama