TST PTECH Academy

10/04/2026

What is in my water? 💧

Our P-TECH juniors are chasing that question across every one of their courses this year, so we took it straight to the source: Cayuga Lake. 🚤

Aboard the MV Teal with Discover Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom, students pulled plankton from the lake, put algae under the microscope, and collected real water quality data they'll carry back into their investigations. Scientists in the field, on one of the most beautiful September mornings the Finger Lakes could offer. 🌿🔬

The lake that shapes our region is now a lake our students know from the inside out.

Thank you to the Discover Cayuga Lake crew for an unforgettable morning on the water!

TST BOCES Tompkins Cortland CC

10/01/2026

We are proud to share that a group of 9th and 10th grade P-TECH students were selected to represent our school at the Community Climate Action Panel and Breakfast at Ithaca College! They joined local elected officials, community leaders, climate organizations, and visited former Members of Congress for an invitation-only conversation about regional climate initiatives and the policymaking process.
The morning provided students with a unique opportunity to learn how informed, civil discourse can help communities develop equitable solutions to climate challenges. Our students represented P-TECH with curiosity, professionalism, and a willingness to engage in meaningful conversations about the future of our region.
We are incredibly proud of these students for showing up, representing P-TECH, and taking part in this amazing community learning experience!
TST BOCES
Tompkins Cortland CC
Ithaca College

09/19/2026

In Project-Based Learning (PBL), collaboration means actively co-constructing knowledge, sharing leadership, and solving real-world problems together rather than simply splitting up tasks.

Today our students went through a series of tasks to actively collaborate in various situations. They collectively drew still lives, they played Ultimate Frisbee, and then they went through a series of collaborative stations to work mini problems to construct answers together.

They learned how vulnerability ties into collaboration as they had to give up control in front of one another and share in the unknown outcome.

They had challenges and realizations along the way...and most importantly they had fun learning how they show up to the work!

TST BOCES
Newfield CSD
Tompkins Cortland CC
GrotonCSD
Dryden CSD
Ithaca City School District
Lansing CSD

Moravia Central School District
Public Relations
Candor Central School District

09/17/2026

Students kicked off their first interdisciplinary PBL, “What’s in Our Water?”, with a field trip to Dryden Lake alongside 11th grade ELA, Art, US History, and Government. At the lake, students observed the natural environment, examined what was in and around the water, and considered the importance of water to the Finger Lakes region. 

Students participated in a variety of independent and collaborative activities designed to spark curiosity, identify questions, and begin developing their Needs to Knows for the project. Throughout the PBL, students will investigate water quality, ecosystems, history, water usage and management, and the relationship between water and local power structures. 

Students will ultimately select a focus issue, create individual artworks intended to raise awareness and persuade an audience, and develop an argument paper that presents a claim, supporting evidence, and a related counterclaim.

TST BOCES
Newfield CSD
Tompkins Cortland CC
GrotonCSD
Dryden CSD
Ithaca City School District
Lansing CSD

Moravia Central School District
Public Relations
Candor Central School District

09/14/2026

✍️ Signing Up For Success! ✨

Last Friday our P-TECH students celebrated an exciting milestone with Tompkins Cortland Community College at their 11th Grade Pathways Commitment Signing Ceremony! The event recognized their commitment to their education and career pathways.
CULTURE DAYS was the 2nd half of the event with our theme being, We Show Up!
After the signing, students and families moved into viewing videos of our schools Family Groups where they answered the question, How do we show up for P-TECH?
They also made artifacts to represent their Family Groups personality and individual perspective of the question.

We are so proud of our students!👏

09/10/2026

Our first few days at P-TECH have been setting the tone for an unbelievable year!

We’ve spent these opening days building our culture around our theme, WE SHOW UP! Students have been connecting in Family Groups, creating team crests, and preparing to share their progress.

Tomorrow marks the end of our first full week, and we’re inviting family and friends into our space from 12:00 PM – 1:50 PM to celebrate with our students in two big ways:
🎉Student Showcase Celebration
✍️11th Grade Pathways Commitment Signing Day!

See you tomorrow!

09/09/2026

When a dedicated group of educators get together over the summer to plan for their students, you end up with an absolutely amazing First Day of school. Day one of Culture Days 2026 is in the books!
TST BOCES
Tompkins Cortland CC

08/31/2026

07/02/2026

06/15/2026

Congratulations to our P-TECH Class of 2026! 🎓

Thank you to the students, families, staff, and partners who joined us in celebrating this important milestone!

Swipe through for a few photos from the ceremony and head to our page for the full album. 📸