the workforce. Principal John Ellenberg of Greene County High School, who also leads the Greene College and Career Academy, lays out the district’s vision clearly and purposefully. “We want to prepare students for either postsecondary pursuits in academia, or if they decide to go into the workforce, they’re well-prepared for a vocation,” he explains. The district’s emphasis is twofold: rigorous academic pathways for collegebound students, such as dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses, and robust vocational training for those entering technical fields. “It’s not just about graduation rates,” he says, “but about what students will do with their education after they graduate. What’s their career mindset? What are their goals and aspirations to support themselves and their families?” Ellenberg highlights the district’s holistic approach to education, which values the whole child rather than academics in isolation. Greene County understands that students arrive at school with diverse life experiences and challenges, necessitating a multifaceted learning approach. “We incorporate social-emotional learning as part of the focus,” he shares. This program helps students navigate the pressures of their daily lives, including the often overwhelming influence of social media. “Some of the information they’re exposed to is beneficial, some of it is not,” Ellenberg notes. “We teach them how to balance that and stay focused on their goals.” GREENE COLLEGE AND CAREER ACADEMY Education goes beyond textbooks and exams for high school juniors and seniors in Greene County— it’s a launchpad to meaningful careers. The Greene College and Career Academy, helmed by Ellenberg, provides students with career-oriented pathways that blend academic rigor with practical, handson training. These programs connect students to real-world opportunities through partnerships with local businesses, ensuring they graduate with a diploma and skills immediately marketable in today’s economy. “One of the things you have to do is partner with your local businesses,” Ellenberg explains. The Academy collaborates with industries to create pathways that prepare students for careers or higher education while gaining invaluable work-based learning experience. Take healthcare, for example. “We offer certified nursing assistant (CNA) certifications through our healthcare science program. Students complete clinical hours at local facilities, like St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital, which we partner with,” he says. These clinicals, essential for certification, allow students to experience the medical field firsthand—whether in hospitals, nursing homes, or other healthcare settings. Another pathway, welding, addresses a critical 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01 GREENE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
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