BREWSTER, N.Y. — A new education initiative is opening doors for local high school students by offering free college courses and a head start in high-demand STEM fields. The Pathways to Technology Early College High School program, known as P-Tech, is funded by a multimillion-dollar New York State Education Department grant and allows students to earn college credits while still in high school at no cost.
Upon completion of the program, students graduate with an associate degree from Westchester Community College.
The Brewster Central School District, which serves students in Southeast, Putnam Lake, and parts of North Salem and Carmel, launched the P-Tech initiative two years ago. Currently, 100 students are enrolled.
P-Tech Coordinator Dave Carpanzano leads the program alongside educators Jess McCann and Niko D’Anglase. The team recently spoke to students interested in enrolling in 2026, describing P-Tech as the first and only program of its kind in Putnam County. The curriculum aims to develop in-demand skills for local industry partners, including Lamothermic, Fryer Machine Systems, DCC Automation, Putnam Precision, and Allendale Machine Systems.
“You might visit one of our industry partners locally on a field trip or through an internship opportunity and realize, ‘This could be a job that I’d like to do in the future,’” Carpanzano told prospective students. “You could meet your future boss right here in Brewster, because our industry partners are in our own backyard and they are looking to give back to Brewster High School.”
McCann emphasized the importance of commitment: “The one thing we ask of our P-Tech students is that they be willing to work hard.”
Freshman Michael Biancamano expressed enthusiasm for the program. “College is really expensive so this is a great opportunity and we have lots of amazing community partners in Brewster. In other words, this program is a great opportunity.”
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