‘Your tomorrow starts today:’ An alternate way Staten Island students can earn a high school diploma

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Every year, hundreds of Staten Island students enroll in a program that gives them a second chance at earning their high school equivalency diploma.

It’s why Anthony Andrade, 18, enrolled in the Pathways to Graduation-Staten Island (P2G-SI), which provides students in New York City with the preparation and tools necessary for a successful future by helping them earn their high school equivalency diploma. A free, full-time program, locations are citywide and open to students ages 17-21 — including those on Staten Island.

Andrade only needed to execute one portion of the exam to receive his diploma and turned to P2G — taking classes at a satellite campus while working as a barber in Stapleton.

After just three months, he passed the exam to earn his diploma. He credited the school’s flexibility and supportive staff for helping him earn the milestone achievement.

“My whole family was so happy that I graduated, he said. “I just bounced back … Mr. N [Ndzibah] helped me out so much. I could ask questions and he would explain everything to me. Whenever I needed to go somewhere, he understood and would help me get my work done. If I had to do assignments online, he was flexible. Sometimes I had other commitments, but they were open-minded here about that.”

With a goal to become an electrician, Andrade regularly visits P2G’s main site, the St. George Hub, to meet with counselors to discuss career fairs and vocational programs like Co-Op Tech, which offers hands-on training in trade areas and technology.

“At other schools, after graduation, you just go your own way,” he said. “Here, I still have support.”

ALTERNATIVE LEARNING PROGRAM

Donny Swanson, principal of the program on Staten Island, explained that P2G is part of District 79 with the New York City Department of Education (DOE). It’s one of five borough-based programs that collectively make up the citywide Pathways to Graduation School.

“Pathways to graduation is an alternative learning program with the New York City Department of Education,” said Swanson. “We welcome all students, regardless of background, to make sure that they feel welcome and supported. And we definitely take part in working with our community to leverage the opportunities and resources to reimagine our school experience for our students.”

Students learn from certified teachers in all five sections of the high school equivalency exam, including reading, writing, math, science and social studies.

With a rolling admission, students can join the program anytime. There is no credit requirement to enroll.

Students work to obtain their High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma by passing all four sections of the GED exam — Reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science. If a student has one or more of their Regents assessments completed before enrolling, they are waived from participating in those sections of the GED exam to obtain their diploma.

So far, 21 students at P2G-SI have received their HSE diplomas since the start of the new school year.

SITES ACROSS BOROUGH

There are many programs located across the borough that partner with P2G.

The P2G-SI programs include: the St. George Hub; the College of Staten Island; Neighborhood Opportunity Network in collaboration with New York City Probation; city Department of Sanitation; the School of Cooperative Technical Education located at Concord High School; Tottenville High School, and YouthBuild Impact organization.

Some program sites, such as the St. George Hub, Tottenville High School and Port Richmond High School, offer evening classes from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. -- so students have opportunities to work or take care of family during the day.

“The whole purpose of Pathways to Graduation is, even the purpose of District 79, is that we are a district that really believes that your tomorrow starts today,” said District 79 Superintendent Glenda Esperance. “Our programs are not mandatory. You come in, it’s voluntary and our goal is to ensure that everyone comes with a different story and that we provide individualized care and guidance, so that we strengthen your social emotional learning, as well as your academics.”

Students come from all different walks of life — some weren’t successful in a traditional K-12 model, or felt overwhelmed finishing their degree, while others come from another country and can earn a high school equivalency in a quicker way.

The P2G program goes even a step further on Staten Island — there are multiple partnerships with the community and other organizations to provide opportunities to students.

“I know it sounds cliche, but it does take a village,” said Esperance. “And so whether it be a partnership with a community, or with a college, so that the students know that when they leave here that there’s someplace that they can go directly ... So that they know that the tools that they’re getting could be applied to someplace in a workforce, that they can go to immediately, or apprenticeships and so forth.”

About 129 students began the school year in September at a P2G program on Staten Island, with that number rising to more than 220 students as of December.

HOW TO ENROLL

It’s easy to enroll in a Pathways to Graduation program, and students can apply at any time to begin classes.

First, you need to find the Referral Center nearest to you to register. After meeting with an experienced guidance counselor or social worker and taking a placement test, staff will help you register at one of 65 sites across the five boroughs.

Visit the St. George Hub at 450 St. Marks Place, or call 718-273-3225. Those interested can also call 929-352-2206, or fill out the form for a Referral Center at http://p2g.nyc/contact/.

Classes meet during the day, though there are evening and late afternoon options. Students provide a personal statement, resume, cover letter, an academic project and an individualized learning plan.

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