At Newburgh Free Academy, students aren’t just learning a trade; they’re preparing to take on leadership positions in the working world.
The high school’s Career Pathway program allows students to discover their own talents and skills and then explore career opportunities that might be suited to those abilities.
“There is so much demand for Career and Technical Education right now,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “Students love this type of learning. They find that it is relevant, that it is engaging, and that they can see themselves in future sustainable careers, so we want to make sure that every kid who wants access to these programs gets it.”
In 2024, the Newburgh Enlarged City School District began construction on a new 132,000 square foot career center adjacent to the high school, that will allow the district to expand its career education capacity and add four new programs: HVAC, plumbing, electrical and veterinary technology. The $75 million project will be completed in September 2026, but Person and NYSUT members got a sneak peek during their tour of the campus this week.
The new three-story building will serve as a hub for students, educators, families, and the community and build on the success of the current CTE program, which educators say offers endless possibilities for career preparation.
Initially, the new building was only going to house students for half the day, but now, the project has been configured to be a one-stop shop. The career center will be outfitted with classrooms, labs, resource rooms, and a gym so that students can receive a full day’s instruction under one roof.
“We are very proud of the program,” said Stacy Moran, president of the Newburgh Teachers Association. “We have so many offerings for our students.” CTE programs cover culinary arts, automotive technology, cosmetology and barbering, criminal justice, graphic arts, health sciences, photography, welding, and other in-demand industries, Moran said.
The Newburgh CTE programs prepare students for careers or for college.
“We have affiliations with the local unions that would love to get them involved,” said Newburgh TA member Christopher Cotton, a construction technology teacher. “We also have two articulation agreements, one with SUNY Delhi and one with SUNY Alfred.” Students who continue their education at these colleges will be able to earn free credits toward their degree, Cotton said.
Students also finish Newburgh’s CTE programs with valuable certifications and industry-backed training that gives them a leg up when it comes to securing jobs.
The culinary arts curriculum is by ProStart, a two-year, National Restaurant Association-sponsored culinary arts and restaurant management program for high school students, said Jennifer Caron, a culinary arts teacher and member of the Newburgh TA. “We also do ServSafe food handler certification. We just did that, and I had probably like an 85 to 90 percent pass rate,” said Caron. “They can qualify for the CDOS (Career Development and Occupational Studies) as well, which is a good pathway for some of them.”
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