FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Where is the school located?
The school is located 99 Slingerland St. Albany, NY 12202. The building is near Delaware Ave. & Morton Ave. off of Oneiada Terrace.
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2. Why and how was the school started?
A group of community members wanted to create a high-quality educational opportunity for low-income students that were trapped in Albany’s low-performing public schools. Approximately one in five Albany city residents pay to send their children to non-public schools instead of Albany public schools – but for low-income families, this often isn’t an option. So, the idea for a new public high school – the Green Tech High Charter School — was conceived. With the assistance of charter school experts and a great deal of education research, a nearly 500-page application detailing every aspect of the school was written and submitted to the State University of New York Board of Trustees. On July 31, 2006, the dream of Green Tech High became a reality when the application was approved to open the Green Tech High Charter School. The school took an extra year of planning time and opened in August 2008.
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3. Who can attend the Green Tech High Charter School?
Similar to magnet schools, charter schools are public schools chosen by parents for their children. Rather than having the school district dictate which school students must attend by virtue simply of where they live, parents can decide if the Green Tech High Charter School best suits the needs of their children, and then enroll their children here.
Green Tech serves grades 6th, 7th and 9-12. Preference is given to students residing in Albany. If there are more applications to attend than available spots, those students will be placed on a waiting list. Once a student is admitted to Green Tech, he can attend the school in subsequent years without having to reapply.
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4. What is a charter school?
Charter schools are public schools that are free from most traditional bureaucratic regulations, allowing them to innovate in areas such as educational programs (curriculum, learning standards, standardized assessments, instructional methods), longer school days and years, financial management, special education services, fundraising, marketing strategies, and school governance. This freedom comes with a higher level of academic accountability — the school must ensure that students learn. Like existing public schools, charter schools are required to administer state assessments and report the results publicly, hold board meetings publicly, and respond to other public information requests. Charter schools do not charge tuition or administer admissions or entrance exams.
5. What is the Green Tech High Charter School’s educational philosophy?
Green Tech High Charter School believes that all students, regardless of income, race, or ethnicity, can learn and be successful when provided a sound, basic educational opportunity. The focus and structure of Green Tech High Charter School is on student achievement and sound character. Since the school primarily serves at-risk students from low-income backgrounds, it uses curriculum, student learning materials, and assessments that have been effective when used at other schools serving similar at-risk populations. Students have the opportunity to participate in Advanced Placement (AP) and College in the High School classes and earn college credit. Green Tech students are expected to graduate on time with a Regents Diploma.
6. How do I enroll my son in the Green Tech High Charter School?
Parents interested in sending their children to Green Tech should call the school at (518) 694-3400 or appear in person. Applications are available as of January of every year.
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7. How many students attend Green Tech?
Green Tech offers a small-school environment. We house about 500 students in 6th-12th grade.
8. Do I have to wear a uniform?
Yes. Students at Green Tech High Charter School are expected to wear uniforms on a daily basis. Uniforms are provided by Lodges located at 75 N Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207. Families can only purchase uniform after receiving an official acceptance letter.
9. How do I get to school?
Most students at Green Tech High Charter School take a CDTA bus to and from school each day. Bus passes are provided to students that come from surrounding districts that do not provide transportation. Albany City School District provides 3 month bus passes for the year to students that live at minimum of 1.5 miles away from the school. Typically Troy, Lansingburgh, Ravena, and now Schenectady bus students.
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10. Are there any sports available?
Currently GTH offers football, basketball, track, and baseball.
11. Can I get extra help on my academic studies?
Yes. GTH has many preventative programs in place to ensure that our students are able to achieve academic excellence. An instance of this is that all Juniors (11th graders) have a SAT prep built into their school schedule. Teachers are also available after hours to assist any student in need.
12. How long is the school year?
First year students at Green Tech High Charter School report to school the first week in August for orientation. All students commence full time coursework in early September and finish the year at the end of June.
13. How long is the school day?
Green Tech High Charter School has an extended day for instruction that begins promptly at 8:03 am and concludes at 3:00 pm; Monday –Thursday and Friday has an early dismissal at 2:00 pm. The school building is open prior to the start of instruction, at 7:30 am, for students having breakfast at the school. All students must report to their assigned Advisory by 8:03 am and be seated and engaged in the Warm-Up activity in order to avoid being marked tardy. The school building is open for at least one hour after school to facilitate extra-curricular activities participation.
14. How do I make a Foil Request ?
Please view our Foil Request Policy here If you have additional questions please email frontdesk@greentechhigh.org
15. How do I file a complaint?
If you have concerns that you would like to express please view our grievance policy here Please email frontdesk@greentechhigh.org to speak one of our Deans or our Principal Mr. White.
16. I currently live at a temporary address, can I still enroll?
If you currently have uncertain housing please contact Mr. Jones at mjones@greentechhigh.org
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