How Our Students Learn

At Southern Westchester BOCES, we’ve developed a four-step system of teaching and learning that has proven successful with our students, who have a variety of specific needs. Each student spends his or her time with us in the following phases:

1. Orientation: During the orientation period, which can last from one to two years, we familiarize the student with careers, and he or she participates in classroom training that covers several different career areas. Each student takes a vocational assessment when the orientation period is completed
   
2. Specialization: Based on the results of the vocational assessment and a teacher’s recommendation, the student begins to specialize in a career study area, in which he or she spends one to two years developing the skills necessary for entry-level employment.
   
3. Internship or Work Experience: The BOE Program arranges for students to participate in "live" work experiences in their particular field of interest. These work experiences may be either paid or unpaid.
   
4. Guidance for the Future: We provide guidance for students who, as their BOE experience comes to an end, are making plans for post-secondary education or jobs after graduation.