Valley Stream Central High School District is making it easier than ever to build alternative career skills without the college price tag

Millions of high school students march toward earning a college diploma, treating higher education as an all-important step before joining the workforce. But what about those students whose interests or career trajectories diverge from the well-laid college path?

Droves of young men, for instance, are opting out of enrolling in four-year colleges, recent data shows. The bloated cost of college tuition has made pursuing higher education a financially daunting choice for students in general. Valley Stream Central High School, a coveted magnet school, has offered districtwide alternative trade and career programs for those looking to step outside the boundaries of conventional education.

There are few programs like it in the region, but it has already made quite an impact on the student body. Students can enroll in a suite of programs from cosmetology to automotive to nursing and medical assistance, learn textbook fundamentals, get hands-on training, and acquire professional guidance at little to no cost. 

“We have well-rounded course offerings for 11th and 12th students who are looking to either begin a trade or technical career, see if it’s a good fit for them, or just create a more well-rounded educational experience outside of the traditional classroom subjects,” said Jennifer DiMaio, superintendent for curriculum and instruction for the Valley Stream Central High School District. 

DiMaio says the district has built its course offerings around the trades most popular among Valley Stream students at the Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Center. Instead of busing students to the center, the district has brought those programs in-house.

“Kids need to know what’s out there for them so that they can make informed choices about what paths they want to choose,” said DiMaio, who argues schools need to give students more wiggle room to decide their future. The programs also safeguard students from the professional and financial risks that come with changing industries or jumping careers later down the road.

“The best place for that is in high school where the stakes are low,” she said. “They’re not spending their own money to take these courses. They’re enrolling as a part of their high school experience. The more choices you have, the more interested you are in what you choose.”

And DiMaio says there are a lot more upgrades and improvements the district has in store.

“We will have an up-and-running Construction Trades Program for 11th and 12th graders, which will give them an introduction to carpentry, plumbing, masonry, and electrical,” she said.

This year, the district hired a work-based learning coordinator, Lori Rodriguez, to create internship and job opportunities for students, polish up their interview skills, resume building, and career search. 

“We just have to be realistic and recognize that one size does not fit all in education,” said DiMaio. “This program is responsive and puts the community’s best interest in mind.”

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