Board hears updates on City as Campus programs: Big Picture internships, Early College and a new smart‑tech pathway

Schenectady City School District leaders and students used the March 12 work session to showcase the district’s City as Campus programs — a cluster of off‑campus learning opportunities that includes Big Picture’s Leaving to Learn internships, an Early College High School partnership with SUNY Schenectady, a newly launched Smart Tech pathway, and performing‑arts partnerships with Proctors.

“Students are designing a life of their choosing,” Big Picture staff said, and students described how project‑based internships and “leaving to learn” experiences have changed their attendance and academic outlook.

Why it matters: The programs give students workplace experience, college exposure and alternative pathways to graduation — including opportunities to earn college credit, industry credentials or career certificates while in high school.

What presenters summarized

- Big Picture and internships — Big Picture leaders described a grade‑by‑grade progression: ninth‑grade “Leaving to Learn” focuses on community and trust‑building; tenth grade emphasizes employability and internships; 11th grade centers on college and scholarship exploration. Students create learning plans tied to a mentor and a real‑world project and…