The phones were still off the hook, but Tech Valley High School Principal Dan Liebert could already hear educational opportunities calling area students.
Boxes of supplies and equipment on Monday, Aug. 4, from Tech Valley High School’s East Greenbush location were being moved into the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering campus. Classrooms started to take shape last week as furniture was placed. This week, technology infrastructure is being connected across the 22,000-square-foot space being leased.
This school year, Capital District students will step into the new space, along with common areas at the campus, to facilitate interactive long-distance learning and collaboration.
“You always want to show students how what you are teaching is being used in the real world, so this is perfect for us to be located here,” Liebert said. “We want to show our students here how the fundamental content … is being used in the real world.”
This upcoming school year, Liebert said there would be about 140 students attending Tech Valley High School. Despite most area school districts struggling to trim down budgets, he said enrollment has not tapered off — actually, it’s growing.
TVHS is available to students across 47 school districts spanning seven counties, but school districts pay the tuition for each student they send. Tuition comes in at about $13,000, but state aid covers around 55 percent.
The junior and senior classes at TVHS are smaller, falling around 30 each, but Liebert said the incoming freshman class is full at about 45 students. He said enrollment isn’t anticipated to be an issue moving forward.
“We can’t just sit around and do what we have always done. The future needs us to expand the teaching and learning that we do,” said Liebert.
The school focuses on project-based learning and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education required for emerging industries. Similar to CNSE, it listens to what the business community is looking for in workers.
“The businesses on the campus keep saying, ‘Yes, we need workers that need to know math and science, but in addition, they need to be able to communicate what they know.’ … They also need global understanding and awareness,” said Liebert.
It also has stepped up its outreach efforts to school districts.
“This year, we are going to have two full-time teachers that do nothing but professional development around project-based learning and STEM education,” said Liebert.
Alain Kaloyeros, senior vice president and CEO of CNSE, previously said the partnership is “timely and essential in helping to prepare our next generation of innovators.”
James N. Baldwin, district superintendent of Questar III BOCES, previously said the collaboration would produce new opportunities for students, while enhancing the school’s unique educational approach.
TVHS is planning to host open houses later this month after everything is set up at the new location.