State Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, who championed the school from its earliest days and secured $1.1 million in state funds, said: "Today we celebrate the beginning of something special in the field of education with the creation of the Tech Valley High School. Students at Tech Valley will take part in interactive coursework that will inspire creativity while preparing them for the challenges of the 21st century."

The first class of this innovative school, which has captured the imagination of the region and country, is a joint venture of Capital Region BOCES and Questar III, has 40 students � 20 boys and 20 girls � from 35 school districts in seven counties served by the two BOCES, including Albany, Columbia, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Schoharie, Saratoga and Greene. The school curriculum focuses on math, science and technology and works to engage the students in all Tech Valley has to offer.

"This is a day that we have awaited with great anticipation. Tech Valley High School is unlike any other in the United States. We have created it with scores of partners who shared, and are continuing to share, their best thinking with us. We dedicate this day to them � and to the future � of our school, our students and public education," said James N. Baldwin, district superintendent of Questar III and interim superintendent of Capital Region BOCES.

"Tech Valley High School is a prime example of what can be achieved when educators represented by their union partner with the business community work together toward a common goal with the best interests of students in mind. This is a unique school that will meet the needs of students and the region's economy well into the future," said Richard C. Iannuzzi, president of New York State United Teachers (NYSUT).

Organized around the principles of project-based learning, Tech Valley High�s academic program and day-to-day activities differ in many ways from other schools. Students, however, meet New York State learning standards and earn a Regents diploma or Advanced Regents diploma, at least 23 credits following the state course of study college credits. Tech Valley High�s course of study is deeply enriched by the school�s connection to area businesses and institutions of higher education working on the cutting edge of science, math and technology.

^{The school's curriculum will focus on 21st century learning skills which students need to succeed in the global, rapidly changing world of work, include teamwork, critical thinking, using technology as a tool and solving unforeseen problems. The school will be housed at temporary Pitney Bowes Software headquarters until it moves to its own facility where it is expected to have 400 students in 2009. The site is yet to be determined.}