Author: skarimptech

Newburgh Free Academy North Campus offers students the opportunity to join programs that will give them a head start after graduation.

Students at Newburgh Free Academy North Campus have the opportunity to join sports and clubs that nourish the characteristics of a leader and ambassador of change. The teachers of Newburgh Free Academy P-TECH are driven to educate their students in a way that not only improves their academics but to improve their view on their community and how they can impact issues that are important to them.

The students of Newburgh Free Academy P-TECH can take advantage of the educational programs offered to all Newburgh Free Academy North students such as JRROTC and the CNA program. The clubs offered by Newburgh Free Academy North and Newburgh Free Academy Main are open to NFA P-TECH students and help build the skills they will need in the future.

The ability to join clubs and programs is individualized and you will have to speak to the guidance counselor to make a schedule that meets your student’s wants/needs.

In partnership with SUNY Orange (Orange County Community College) the students of Newburgh Free Academy P-TECH will have the opportunity to earn an Applied Associates in Cyber Security or Networking.

Students take their first set of college classes at the Newburgh Free Academy North campus their sophomore year of high school (Year 2). During Year 3 students will have the opportunity to take college classes on the SUNY Orange campus. While on campus students have access to the academic help services that are offered to all SUNY students. Year 4 students will have the opportunity to take most of their classes on the SUNY Orange campus.

By being on campus students get to gain experience in the college setting which helps them develop the skills they will need if they choose to go to another institution after they graduate from P-TECH. Students who wish to continue their education at SUNY Orange will not be freshman when they apply, if they completed their associates, therefore allowing them to have earlier access to sign up for classes.

Information on the Networking AAS Degree and the Cyber Security AAS Degree can be found on SUNY Orange’s website.

Mentoring

IBM provides mentors to Newburgh Free Academy P-TECH students during their time in the program to help navigate high school, college, internships, and life.

The mentoring program allows students to have a 1 on 1 relationship with someone who works for IBM in multiple departments such as zSystems, Communications, Global Technology Services, and Watson Health. By having a mentor, students have another person to talk to about life and help them see things from a different perspective.

Student Testimonials

“I have someone to talk to about how to balance life. It helps when I am feeling overwhelmed and don’t know what to do.” – Destiny Erazo

“My mentor has helped me learn how to communicate professionally.” – Charlie Vega

“When I needed to prepare for my internship interview my mentor was the best person to go to because she knew so much.” – Suyhalia Karim

Internships

Newburgh Free Academy P-TECH students are offered the opportunity to interview for a paid IBM internship at the Poughkeepsie site. Internships positions are from multiple departments in IBM and all roles NFA P-TECH students have the knowledge and skills to do. 

Internships prepare students to join the work force after graduation whether or not they want to work for IBM. By having an IBM internship on their resumes they have more experience than their peers setting them up for success in the future. Once they have completed the program NFA P-TECH students can be considered 1st in line for jobs and apprenticeships at IBM.

site visits

NFA P-TECH students will have the opportunity to visit IBM sites to see the different parts of IBM and how IBM impacts their lives on a bigger scale. Site visits are an opportunity for students to learn about IBM’s role in the community and how that effects them as community members.

college tours

professional skills

Students take a professional skills class where they learn the skills they will need in the workplace in year 2. They learn how to write their resumes, do well in interviews