School-to-College & School-to-Workforce: The Pathways We Built
Overview
SpringBoard Incubators designed two original pathway models — School-to-College and School-to-Workforce — to give underserved students structured, credentialed routes from the classroom into higher education and in-demand careers. Since 2020, these models have been deployed across two Long Island districts: Hempstead, where 30 students in the district's My Brother's Keeper (MBK) program have earned transferable college credit through a Monroe College partnership, and Wyandanch, where a countywide "Earn & Learn" workforce program — funded by Suffolk County and featured in Newsday — has trained students in data analysis, structured cabling, and engineering test technology. The sections below detail both pathways, with supporting press coverage, program data, and student testimonials.
School-to-College
30 Credits EarnedHempstead High School students in the district's My Brother's Keeper (MBK) program, grades 10–12, earned 3 transferable college credits through Monroe College's Introduction to Information Technology course — for most, their first college course.
| Cohort | Enrolled | Confirmed Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2020 (Mar 2020, paused for COVID-19) | 27 | Resumed as Summer 2020 cohort |
| Summer 2020 | 16 | 16 |
| Fall 2020 | 10 | 5 |
| Summer 2021 | 16 | — |
| Fall 2021 | 9 | — |
| Cumulative Total (per 2022 grant filing) | 30 |
Student Reflections
"I learned new things about the field of technology and I am now more interested in pursuing this as a career choice... This was my first college course and I hope I can take more relevant courses in high school like this one."
"This was my first time I took a college class and I found it to be a great exposure to the college environment... this course taught me what I can learn in the field of technology and the career choices that are possible."
Institutional Recognition
The 2020 cohort's achievement was formally celebrated at "A Virtual Celebration" (August 27, 2020), with remarks from:
School-to-Workforce
Two Districts, One ModelSpringBoard's School-to-Workforce model trains students in in-demand technical skills with a direct line to paid internships and employment — deployed independently at both Hempstead and Wyandanch.
Wyandanch — "Earn & Learn"
Featured in NewsdayA countywide Suffolk County initiative, delivered in partnership with Soter Technologies and the Urban League of Long Island — funded by $100,000 from Suffolk County and $760,000 in federal and state grants.
"I think this is a model of what we need to do, which is leveraging partnerships and being really creative and nimble with curriculum and training that reflects the jobs available now," — Steve Bellone, Suffolk County Executive.
"We're making sure our scholars have access to opportunity, mentorship, training and development... an in-demand skill set that will lead them to gainful employment." — Shamika Simpson, Wyandanch Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.
Program Reach
12 high school students + 8 young-adult participants (ages 18–24), across four tracks: Data Analysis, Social Media Strategy, Engineering Test Technology, and Structured Cable Technology.
Student Voice
"I was thinking it could be a good backup plan" — Wykeem Jordan, 17, on the social media workshop. "I just want to try everything just to see what attracts me the most" — Mikalah Knight, 17.
Industry Certification
Every student in the Social Media Strategist track earned an official HubSpot certification — a real, resume-ready credential recognized industry-wide.
Industry Partnership
All materials for the Structured Cable (Network Cabling Tech) track — cabling, panels, tools, and hardware — were donated by Soter Technologies, the program's industry partner.
Hempstead — Data Science
18 StudentsHempstead MBK students in grades 10–11 completed a Data Science course covering R, SQL, and Python, with a pathway to a paid internship upon successful completion — open to students with a passing Algebra Regents score and an 80+ GPA.
Additional Pathways
Supporting ProgramsSchool-to-Business — Hempstead
14 students completed "Level Up Entrepreneurship," a 6-week Business Model Canvas curriculum culminating in a Certificate of Participation.
Robotics & STEM — Wyandanch and Valley Stream Central
23 students at Wyandanch High School (2023–24) and 7 sessions of MBK robotics at Valley Stream Central (2024), both culminating in hands-on hardware capstone projects.