P-TECH high school model working

Cletus Andoh grew up in Brooklyn and neither of his parents attended college. He filled out his standard high school application but was denied entry into all of his top 11 choices. Instead, he started at P-TECH in the fall of 2011. He quickly achieved college readiness, enrolling in college courses beginning after ninth grade. His academic success resulted in achieving a high school diploma and an associate of applied science, or AAS degree, in computer science in 2015 – two years ahead of schedule. He benefited from mentorship and paid internships at IBM. Cletus got a scholarship and admission to Syracuse University and completed his bachelor’s degree. He got a competitive job offer from IBM’s Hybrid Cloud Division, one of the most competitive business units at the company, where he remains to this day.

That’s just one example. Hundreds of others benefited from open admissions with no barrier to entering P-TECH.

Most who got their two-year degrees also got or are pursuing their bachelor’s degrees, and dozens are working at IBM.

P-TECH schools across the U.S. are experiencing similar success. From one P-TECH school in Buffalo, New York, 15 graduates have been offered jobs at Tesla, according to information I was provided by Buffalo Public Schools.

Opportunity in this country, I would argue, depends first and foremost on educational opportunity.

While educational opportunities for students of color are often limited by admissions screening into the highest-performing high schools, I would argue that the stories of P-TECH students demonstrate that given the right opportunities – coupled with the right supports via the integration of high school, college and career – all students can succeed if the opportunity and support are provided.