Newburgh Free Academy P-TECH celebrated 29 more scholars who earned their associate’s degree in Cyber Security from SUNY Orange this year. All scholars earned both their high school diploma and associate’s degree simultaneously through the NFA P-TECH program, 20 of whom completed both degrees in four years.

A total of 86 graduates have earned both degrees through the NFA P-TECH program that partners with IBM and SUNY Orange.

Each year, 50 students are accepted into a cohort. Scholars have up to six years to graduate with their associate’s degree free of charge through the NFA-P-TECH program. Some scholars choose to begin working or transfer to a four-year college upon high school graduation.

The NFA P-TECH program has a thorough mentorship and paid summer internship program with IBM. Each scholar is paired with a mentor and mentoring events are hosted periodically throughout the year with a specific focus for each event. Mentors and their scholars also work independently on various skills throughout their professional relationship. Additionally, IBM offers paid summer internships for scholars in various fields allowing scholars to gain general professional experience as well as skilled experience in specific areas of focus.

Newburgh Free Academy’s P-TECH program is modeled after a similar program in Brooklyn that started in 2011, and was part of the first cohort of grant awardees in New York State. There are now almost 40 P-TECH schools across NYS and over 200 P-TECH schools worldwide.

Beginning on day one of the program and lasting throughout their four years at Newburgh Free Academy North Campus, students work on professional skills such as communication, collaboration and analytic thinking that have been identified as keys to success in both college and career. The P-TECH Program at Newburgh Free Academy is a partnership with the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, SUNY Orange, and IBM. All students have mentors from IBM or Global Foundries who develop professional relationships allowing students to ask questions, network, and learn from professionals in the field of technology. Additionally, most students completed paid internships at IBM over the summer throughout the program.