Earlier this week, Superintendent Kriner Cash held a ribbon cutting for one of his new concept schools called Innovative High Schools. These high schools will focus on getting students outfitted with an education concentration that will allow them to succeed in job placement in WNY and beyond. The initiative is part of Cash’s redesign and launch of New Innovative High Schools as part of his commitment towards an ongoing directive known as New Education Bargain with Students and Parents (NEB).
The first school to undergo a transformation is Bennett High. A ribbon cutting was held to unveil The Computing Academy of Technological Sciences at the school. The focus of the new curriculum will be on technology, high-tech computer science, software engineering, animation, gaming, coding, mobile application design, digital design, computer hardware, web design, information systems, and programming.
The objective behind each one of these new schools is to teach concepts that will help the students to excel in fields that will allow them to efficiently network locally so they can seamlessly enter post-secondary majors and careers. Part of this new programming centers around college credits, industry certification, advanced placement courses, and real world experience. Cash is counting on college partners, school administration, alumni groups, as well as organizations such as Say Yes Buffalo and Middle Early College, to help facilitate the advancement of the students as they pass through the curriculum.
We are educating the workforce of the future, and gearing that education to the competitive demands of the city, the nation, and the world.
Dr. Kriner Cash said, “The Buffalo Public Schools must address the talent of the city and region, while offering students enriched learning opportunities that will motivate and excite them through graduation. We are educating the workforce of the future, and gearing that education to the competitive demands of the city, the nation, and the world. These new high schools and programs have garnered high interest among next year’s ninth-graders, the Buffalo Board of Education, and our many partners. Big things start small and well planned. The New Education Bargain design for innovative high schools–as with the New Bennett Computing Academy–is tailor-made for future growth.”
Cash states that he is confident that industry partners will help to develop lesson plans, provide mentoring and guest speakers, along with internships, filed trips, etc. Cash has already solidified relationships with partners at the University at Buffalo and Buffalo State to move forward with a number of the aforementioned relationship-building exercises. Ultimately, these relationships will enable the students to acquire discounted advanced study college credits that would be honored at the respective higher education places of learning.
Already there is a higher demand for enrollment in the five new school programs.
Additional New Innovative High Schools, and the coinciding programming as they relate to the local job industry, are as follows:
- East Community High School will serve as a center for the community with a focus on academics, career and technical education, health and social services, and youth and community development to transform the lives of our young people through a dynamic comprehensive high school experience. Students in the law, public safety, corrections, and security pathway will take courses to prepare them for planning, managing, and providing legal, public safety, protective services and homeland security, including professional and technical support services.
- The Bioinformatics and Life Sciences Research Lab at Math, Science, and Technology Preparatory School in which industry partners will support the development of curriculum and give students the opportunity to use state of the art technology while actively engaging in real world scientific research. Through project based learning in both the classroom and laboratory settings, students will develop their leadership and interpersonal skills through collaborative mentorships and joint research opportunities in conjunction with the University at Buffalo, UB’s Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Partnership (ISEP), Buffalo State College, and Empire Genomics Company.
- The Solar Pathways Program at South Park High School, partnering with Solar City, Erie Community College, and Compliance & Administrative Services of NY (CASNY) providing work experience, mentoring, and curriculum development. Students can earn an associate degree in six years at no cost for college credit to their families and will be first in line for jobs with participating companies when they graduate.
- Lafayette International High School is designed for any student who has arrived from another country or Puerto Rico in the last four years, who is learning English and is entering the 9th grade in September 2016. Students can expect a safe and caring community school that will have project-based learning, internships and mentoring, native language support, and a strong relationship with Buffalo State College an the International Network for Public Schools.
Mayor Byron Brown stated, “Today’s opening of the new Computing Academy of Technological Sciences at Bennett will further prepare our students for the jobs of the future by providing them with the tools and skills they need for those high-paying, in-demand jobs of today and tomorrow. Not only will our students be prepared for their futures; Buffalo’s workforce will be ready to meet the demand for the many new jobs that will be created over the next five years. I applaud BPS Superintendent Dr. Cash and his New Educational Bargain for Parents and Students and look forward to our shared partnership on this and other initiatives that will result in real promise to help our students succeed.”
Not only will our students be prepared for their futures; Buffalo’s workforce will be ready to meet the demand for the many new jobs that will be created over the next five years.
Assemblywoman Peoples Stokes said, “Today is a culmination of years of planning and strategy. The Computing Academy of Technological Sciences at Bennett will provide a curriculum that puts students in a position to succeed in the 21st century. We are in knowledge and technology based economy and with the ongoing economic development in Buffalo; we need to ensure our residents are adequately prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow. The partnership of higher education and industry leaders will truly place this school in a position to succeed. I applaud all involved parties for making today a reality and I am pleased to see the opening of The Computing Academy of Technological Sciences at Bennett.”