Giving Students a Leading Advantage
P-TECH and SS-ECHS prepare students for in-demand jobs in STEM careers. The models directly address both education and workforce development skill gaps by providing innovative approaches to high school and college education while engaging corporate partners and local communities for student success.
The programs are designed to give students historically underrepresented at the postsecondary level the opportunity to get a jumpstart on their college education and their future career.
Click here to see the alignment between P-TECH/ECHS and growing STEM careers in the Capital Region.
Questar III has partnered with Hudson Valley Community College on several Pathways in Technology, P-TECH (6-year) and Smart Scholars – Early College High School, SS-ECHS (4-year) pathway programs that will be housed on the Hudson Valley Community College campus. Along with industry partners, Tech Valley High School is a valued partner in this new initiative. These programs allow institutions of higher education to partner with public school districts to create an opportunity for students to earn college credits while also completing their high school diploma. The programs will assist students on the path to a college degree while saving their families thousands of dollars in tuition costs.
Key Benefits:
Combines the best elements of high school, college and work-based learning.
A rigorous, relevant and cost-free education focused on the knowledge and skills students need for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers.
Workplace learning that includes ongoing mentoring by professionals (P-TECH) in the chosen career sector, worksite visits, speakers and internships.
Intensive, individualized academic support by high school and college faculty within an extended academic year or school day that enables students to progress through the program at their own pace.
An opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree (P-TECH) from HVCC, a college that is the industry standard for targeted jobs in a high-tech field.
Students will see several benefits from the partnership between the two institutions – obtaining between 24 and 60 credits or an Associate Degree within 4 to 6 years at no additional costs to districts, courses taught by college faculty, professional development, increased access to college coursework, strong project-based learning backgrounds as 9th and 10th graders, and additional course access for students in all programs due to shared staff.
Similarities / Differences
SS-ECHS
- 4-year curriculum
- 24-60 transferrable college credits
- No mentor requirement/component
- 51% of students must be from target school districts in Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene counties
Both
- Located on the HVCC Campus
- No cost to families
- Available to students from all local districts
- Supported by industry partners including the Artificial Intelligence Center for Excellence and Tech Valley Center of Gravity
- Fully aligned with HVCC's Computer Information Systems (CIS) program
- Focused on in-demand industries and jobs (web developers, engineers, environmental scientists)
- Dual enrollment - college coursework begins no later than 10th grade
- Articulation agreements with more than 50 colleges to transfer credit
- Workplace visits, internships, students first-in-line for job opportunities
- Courses taught by college faculty and/or high school teachers with adjunct status
- Access to all academic, social, planning and other supports provided to HVCC
P-TECH
- 6-year curriculum
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Associate of Science (AS), or Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) Degree
- Every student assigned an industry mentor
- Priority given to average cohort graduation rates below 82% per state grant
The Tech Valley Center of Gravity is a vital partner from Capital Region industry that will serve as a bridge to its 17 resident companies and various industry partners. TVCOG is a makerspace, prototyping center, manufacturing incubator, STEAM education center, creative community and nonprofit that provides low-cost access to equipment, tools, technology and space, as well as business expertise, education and resources.
Take the tour and see what Tech Valley Center of Gravity is all about –
Pre-Program/Application Process
What are the characteristics of a successful student?
Successful Students at STEM High School
- Are passionate about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and the pathways of the P-TECH and ECHS programs.
- Are motivated to explore new, innovative ways of learning and thrive in non-traditional classroom settings.
- Are capable of reading college-level textbooks, succeeding in challenging college classes, and being mature enough to be an early college high school student.
- Are interested in the rapidly growing fields of web development, engineering, environmental, or health sciences.
- Have a good attendance record and work well in highly collaborative environments.
- Are looking for a program designed for students who seek high school and college level work.
How large is the cohort size? Our current cohort sizes range from 25-39 students, but we are approved to accept 70 students into the program each year. This includes 45 in P-TECH and 25 in ECHS.
What are the application requirements? Students need to complete an application and include an approval to apply from a district official (Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, or Director) and two recommendations, including one from a teacher and one from a school counselor. There is also a required interview if a student is selected. Ultimately, we want to make sure the program is the right fit for the students, and the students are the right fit for the program.
What is the application timeline?
- Application deadline – March 12, 2025 for 2025-26 school year
Do I need to attend an informational session to be considered? Yes, families are required to attend at least one in-person or virtual informational session because this is a 4- or 6-year commitment. Sessions will be promoted through our website and social media.
When are the information sessions? Virtual Information Night’s and In-Person Open House’s are scheduled between November and March for the following school year, and are designed for interested eighth grade students and their families. For a list of upcoming events, click here.
What is the cost of the college courses and will students have access to the same services as HVCC students? STEM High School is free to all families and includes access to all academic supports, social activities, and college coursework planning by HVCC. Students will also receive free breakfast and lunch, book supplies, tuition, field trips, and access to in-house support such as counseling and learning labs.
What is the lottery process? Our cohort size for P-TECH is 45 students, and 25 students for ECHS. If the number of applications exceeds those numbers, we will need to conduct a lottery, which would be carried out by a third party to ensure no bias. Similarly, districts will also conduct a lottery if the number of students who applied is larger than the number of students that district is able to send.
How can I find out more information? Fill out the contact form on this page to indicate your interest. You can also reach out directly to jennie.mueller@questar.org for questions.
Location/Schedule
Where is the program located? The program will be housed in the Lang Technical Building on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College in Troy; view a campus map here.
What outside or support opportunities are available to students as part of the program? The P-TECH and SS-ECHS programs combine the best elements of high school, college and work-based learning. A rigorous and relevant education focused on the knowledge and skills students need for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers. Workplace learning that includes ongoing mentoring (P–TECH) by professionals in the chosen career sector, worksite visits, speakers and internships. Intensive, individualized academic support by high school and college faculty.
How will transportation be handled? Families must work with their districts to arrange for transportation to the Hudson Valley Community College campus. Students who drive must register their vehicle through the HVCC Parking Portal. Access to the Parking Portal is also available through WIReD in the Student Account Records section.
Who are the business partners and what role will they play in the program? STEM High School partners with local businesses to help our students develop workplace and classroom skills, get internships, and obtain future job opportunities. Engagement and involvement from local industry, such as Tech Valley Center of Gravity and the Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence is a key component of the P-TECH and SS-ECHS models.
Home District Connection
What type of schedule can students and families expect? It is a full-day program; students ar transported from their home districts in the morning and remain on the Hudson Valley Community College campus until the end of the school day, at which point, they will be transported back to their home districts or pick up by a family member.
Will students have opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities in their home school district? Students may continue participating in extracurricular activities and events at their home districts, including sports clubs, and prom. STEM High School offers various after-school clubs such as Student Government, and Yearbook club are offered. Students are eligible to join clubs, organizations, and intramural sports at HVCC. Once they reach their 5th year, they can participated in intercollegiate sports.
Do students have to choose a pathway in ninth grade? No, before entering STEM High School, students will choose a program (P-TECH or SS-ECHS). During the fall semester of their sophomore year, they will select the pathway they wish to pursue.
What are the pathways?
P-TECH Pathways
Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AOS)
Clean Energy Management (AAS)
Computer Information Systems: Web Design & Programming (AAS)
Digital Media (AS)
Electrical Engineering Technology (AAS)
Engineering Science (AS)
SS-ECHS Pathways
Computer Information Systems: Web Design & Programming
Digital Media
Electrical Engineering Technology-Electronics
Engineering Sciences
Health Science Certificate
Do students take Regents exams? Yes, students will be taking regents exams based on New York State requirements for high school graduation.
Can students with IEP’s and 504 accommodations apply? Absolutely, we have seen that with great success within our other programs. We would work with each student and their families to make sure that we could meet all the requirements of their IEP or 504 accommodations, but students with IEPs and 504s most certainly can attend and are encouraged to do so.
Can my child continue on to earn a bachelor’s degree? Yes, the pathways are identified to earn an Associate in Applied Science, Associate of Science (AS), or an Associates of Occupational Studies (AOS) (for P-TECH) or up to 60 transferable credits (ECHS) and move forward to employment or into a bachelor’s program. Students will benefit from the flexibility offered by HVCC’s articulation agreement with over 50 college institutions; the full list can be viewed here.
Are students able to take classes over the summer or in the spring? There is no requirement of summer-term courses as part of the degree pathways, they are structured so that a student can complete them over the course of a traditional high school year. In the summer before freshman year, students will attend six preparatory sessions that will serve as a bridge to the new program.
Will students follow the college schedule for breaks? For courses taught by high school faculty, class schedules will follow a traditional school district calendar (primarily during the first two years), with the same scheduled breaks and holidays and minimum number of days required. Courses taught by college faculty will follow the college calendar, following breaks and holidays aligned with Hudson Valley Community College’s schedule. However, during times when HVCC is on break and the traditional school district calendar is in session students will still report to the HVCC campus for instruction. This timeframe will be used for students to explore mentoring and internship opportunities that pertain to their degree pathway.