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Southern Adirondack PTECH and the Early College Career Academy (ECCA) are partnerships between SUNY Adirondack and the WSWHE BOCES.
Students are eligible to earn up to 32 college credits (depending on degree choice), acquire national or internationally recognized industry credentials, participate in work-based learning projects and industry challenges, and be mentored by practicing professionals in their field of study.
For 9th Grade Students
PTECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) is a unique six year program that gives high school students the experiences, practical skills, qualifications and credentials they need to secure rewarding careers in technology-based industries. The Southern Adirondack PTECH is a partnership between your high school, WSWHE BOCES, SUNY Adirondack and many local industries. PTECH students are incoming ninth graders who will, in parallel, earn a Regent’s high school diploma from your high school and an associate’s degree from SUNY Adirondack at no cost to your family.
This program offers two pathways:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Information Technology/Computer Networking
Complete an ONLINE STUDENT application:
Counselor's forms
(to fill out after the student fills out their form above)
REQUEST INFO: To request more information on the PTECH program, CLICK HERE to fill out the form.
Two-year programs begin in junior year of high school:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Information Technology/Computer Networking
- New Media
Each program was designed with local industry business partner input. As a result, students will be exposed to a combination of industry theory and cutting edge technologies that will allow them to meet with success in a full-time college or work experience after they complete the Early College Career Academy program. Each program has a specific set of college and BOCES courses that have been approved for the program. In addition, some of the college courses will also count toward high school graduation requirements.
For a full description of the program, download the ECCA Program Catalog.
The Early College Career Academy is designed to:
- connect high school academics to the higher expectations of college academics.
- link academic coursework with careers.
- develop career pathways from high school through college to jobs in in-demand industries.
- increase exposure to math and science through areas of student interest.
- assist students who may not otherwise attend college in obtaining college credits.
- challenge students to be college and career ready.
Students in the programs are exposed to the latest technologies used in these industries, earn industry recognized certifications, and participate in work-based learning activities that include job shadowing, being mentored by an industry expert and real-world industry challenge projects. In addition to acquiring job skills and industry knowledge, students also earn college credits toward an Associate Degree in Applied Science, an Associate Degree in Science or a SUNY Adirondack Certificate.
Students who participate in the Early College Career Academy will:
- be dually enrolled in high school and SUNY Adirondack as non-matriculated students.
- spend half of the day taking college courses on either the SUNY Adirondack Queensbury campus or at SUNY Adirondack Saratoga; the other half will include Regents level courses at the student's high school.
- be co-taught by SUNY Adirondack professors and a WSWHE BOCES Career and Technical Education instructor.
- be taught science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fundamentals in a connected, collaborative environment using project-based learning.
- be provided with a laptop, notebook or tablet for a 1:1 technology experience, and receive hands-on experience using state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing, computer networking and new media equipment and software programs.
- expose students in the business program to business plan development and operational excellence through bootcamps and Six Sigma methodologies.
- have the opportunity to participate in work-based learning or job shadowing experiences with local business owners during college breaks.
At the end of the two year program, a successful student will have:
- earned nationally or internationally recognized industry certifications.
- satisfied all requirements for a NYS Regents Diploma.
- participated in valuable work-based learning experiences.
- earned up to 32 college credits.
Watch a video about the ECCA program