Education Spells Success

We believe that education has a direct relationship to our quality of life and quality of our economy. Corporations and families select a location for a variety of reasons but few rank higher than academic reputation. To meet this need, Ulster County has created academic partnerships that support and encourage the highest standards of life-long learning on all educational levels.

High School and Vocational Training

	Ulster County public school systems, with eight districts, a vocational school, as well as a special needs school, are held in high regard by the communities they serve as being comprehensive, innovative, and safe. Recognized for their accelerated programs and excellence in academic achievement and athletics, our regional test scores are among the highest in New York State. In fact, nearly ninety-five percent of our high school graduates go on to college. There are also several notable private and parochial schools in the county.
	Ulster BOCES is an excellent vocational training center specializing in workforce and skills develolpment that complement the high school curriculum.
	The School-to-Work Partnership program links the classroom with real-workplace experience. Both students and businesses benefit from apprenticeships and internships.
	A shift to high technology has created a need for skilled workers to run the new ultra modern warehouse and distribution facilities. The Orange/Ulster Warehouse & Distribution Training Center meets the needs by providing the training.

Higher Education

	The State University of New York (SUNY) New Paltz, a four year college with advanced degrees programs, is situated on a 216-acre campus. Facts at a glance.
	The State University of New York (SUNY) Ulster Community College is a two-year institution with academic centers at the main campus in Stone Ridge and the Business Resource Center in Kingston. Facts at a glance.
	Marist College School of Graduate and Continuing Education offers advanced courses of study at the Business Resource Center in Kingston.
	Continuing education, professional and career development courses are also available through the Ulster BOCES Adult and Continuing Education Center; the Center for Continuing and Professional Education at SUNY New Paltz; and the Continuing Education Department at SUNY Ulster. Facts at a glance.

Ulster County has made a commitment to the intellectual, culturally, and social growth of all students – of any age.

Hudson Valley & Capital District Colleges and Universities

Ulster County is geographically central to thirty-eight, two-and-four colleges and universities in the Hudson Valley and the Albany Capital District, to the north. These notable institutions provide the intellectual and technical resources which reinforce and replenish the labor market.

New York State ranks first in degrees awarded in materials sciences, computer sciences, and medical sciences; second for degrees in electrical engineering, mathematics, and biological sciences; and third in civil and mechanical engineering. And, one fourth of the region's graduates receive master's degrees, post-graduate certificates.

Centers for Advanced Technology and Excellence

Important to growth in research and development in the high-tech fields are the Centers for Advanced Technology (CATs):

	Three state-supported CATs are in New York City, (Ultrafast Photonic Materials and Applications; Advanced Information Management; and Advanced Technology in Digital Multimedia) two CATs are in the Capital Region (Automation Technologies; and Advanced Thin Film Technology), and another CAT is under study, which would be administered by Pace University, Marist College, and SUNY New Paltz.
	Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics at the University at Albany is being funded with support of New York State and the IBM Corporation.

These campuses also contribute greatly to our unique cultural lifestyle. The many lectures, seminars, showings, and workshops hosted provide vital intellectual stimulation amid surroundings beautifully conducive to self-growth and awareness.