The Other Half: Life at Barry Tech/BOCES

One thing I feel many know about is the other “school” I attend. I feel like it’s one of those things that I always unconsciously bring up when the topic of school is being discussed. A specific cluster know the nitty-gritty about my time in Barry Tech, the rest are probably clueless, so here is my rundown of how I spend my afternoons:

What is Barry Tech/BOCES?

Barry Tech is a career and educational center located in Westbury (approximately a 40 minute drive from East Rockaway). Students from all over Nassau County grades 11-12 can attend. In past years, Barry Tech was a school where kids who flunked academically would go to ensure core-training to go into a specific work area; but now it’s quite the opposite. You need to be an achieving student in order to attend, although it is fairly simple to get in if you’re passing all your classes. Barry Tech currently has over 40 programs ranging from anywhere from medical to construction, to art and veterinary science! Attending BOCES will also grant you college credits each year you attend (1-2 years) which is something colleges will look for when applying. Going to Barry Tech with the intention of going to college locally is also an added benefit. Depending on the program you’re in, some colleges can offer: extra scholarships, more financial aid, or less tuition per year. Barry Tech is a great hands on experience with new experiences to make new friends from different school districts. Students in 10th and 11th grade also have the opportunity to visit Barry Tech on their schools designated dates called “Taste of Tech” where 3-4 schools visit Barry Tech and a student ambassador of each class will take a group of students. Prior to visiting Barry Tech, each student visiting will fill out an application stating their top 2 classes choices which tells the Student Ambassador if they are needed and how many students are interested.

How do I apply?

While I never visited a Taste of Tech due to COVID, one of the guidance counselors came into class and asked if we were interested. (You do not need to visit Taste of Tech in order to go to BOCES!). My application was through a Google form that would later get sent to my classes of choice. In this application you state your name, age, grade, and other basic information. When applying for classes it is extremely important you have a second option because spots can fill up quickly, which doesn’t always mean a guaranteed spot in one specific program. At the very end of your application you state any background experience you have with the classes of your choice. Applications should open up soon! Keep in touch with your guidance counselor if you want to apply!

What class am I in?

I attend the Digital Animation and Digital Design program. I am also a SkillsUSA member, National Technical Honor Society member, and my class Student Ambassador. Both my first and second year I attended BOCES in the afternoon program (which is for returning seniors). My class is the smallest with only two other students. Being an art class we get frequently asked by other classes to come up with designs (mostly for their class shirts). We learn things like parts of art history, art theory, color theory, and many more. We get taught how to use Adobe programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and many more! Some projects I have completed are:

• Redesigning a candy bar
• Comic character creations
• Pin designs
• Claymation short film 
• And more!

Being second year students my class also does internships. An internship is an unpaid work experience where you shadow someone in a company. These are not mandatory but highly recommended since these give real world work experiences and look great on resumes! My class interns with Print Station NY, where we have designed logos, lawn signs, and more. Although it pains me to say, my program will no longer be available after this year, only a skills program which is where students with a 504 will be placed. My class will get moved to a different location in Syosset (LIHSA is a art/music/theater school).

How does transportation work?
Transportation is provided when attending BOCES and does get very stressful in the beginning of the year. A student who is attending BOCES in the morning will get picked up in the morning before school and make their way to other morning students in your school district. After class you get picked up and get brought back to your home school to complete the rest of your day. Students who go in the afternoon go to their first 4 periods of their class. Once the morning class gets dropped off the afternoon students will go on and stay there until the end of the school day and will get dropped off either back home or their home school. Students are allowed to drive but they must be seniors and if they wish to reserve a parking spot in the parking lot they must fill out a form and have proof of an after school sport or activity. 

How long are classes?

Classes at BOCES last 2 hrs and 30 minutes in both the morning and afternoon. The morning classes don’t start until 8 AM. They end at 10:30 AM and get brought back to the high school for their 5th period class (approximately 11AM). Classes in the afternoon don’t start until 11:50 AM. This gives students the time to either drive or relax on the bus and teachers the time to get lunch. Class will end at 2:20 PM and get brought back around 3:15 PM to their school district.

What do classes look like?

Classes look very different depending on what program you attend. Classrooms could have tons of computers, be filled with welding equipment, or look like you stepped right into a beauty parlor or kitchen! Students who attend Taste of Tech can get a better understanding on how their future classrooms can look like.

I hope this was helpful to those who wanted to learn more about BOCES or want to visit BOCES! I highly recommend this program, it’s definitely the highlight of my day. If you have any questions please feel free to ask me or your guidance counselor!!

Photos from my classroom!