WPSS

The Workforce & Post-Secondary Support department implements a program that provides currently enrolled students with opportunities for exposure, exploration, and experience in various careers and post-secondary opportunities. 

Our Post-Secondary Advisors and Workforce Development Coordinator expose students to various careers and post-secondary options through career interests surveys and guiding students in developing career plans with SMART goals. The WPSS team plans and facilitates exploration events, including workshops, panels, tours, fairs, and information sessions, as well as experiential opportunities such as certificate- and/or credit-bearing courses. Students also receive support with resume building, cover letter writing/editing, post-secondary and scholarship applications, job searching, and foreign transcript evaluations.

In partnership with Bard College, the department also offers an Early College program, which implements college courses at the TNS campus. Our Early College Case Manager provides students with support to apply, retain, and complete the course.

In addition, The Next Step PCS offers four in-house awards/scholarships to our graduates:

  • The ESL Excellence Award is a one-time $500 award granted each semester to two students enrolled in the highest level of ESL. Eligible students apply by submitting a video application, which is reviewed and scored by the award panel.   

  • The DEAR Award is a one-time $500 award granted to the graduate with the highest cumulative GED score from the corresponding graduating class. Two awards are given - one for English GED and one for Spanish GED. 

  • The Mundo Scholarship, named after our beloved Mr. Jose Mundo (Math Teacher), is a one-time $500 scholarship awarded to ALL students enrolled at The Next Step PCS at the time of graduation.

Ben Friedberg Scholarship, named after our beloved Mr. Ben Friedberg (Math/Science Teacher),  is a one-time $1000 scholarship awarded to two graduates each semester. Eligible students apply by submitting an application along with a personal statement and participating in a panel interview, where the recipients are selected.