Being in the Dutchess BOCES Alternative High School has been life changing for Shawn Duffy and Cameron Duntz.
Shawn Duffy and Cameron Duntz are in Mr. Fraser’s class at the Alternative High School.
They are preparing to take the General Educational Development Test to earn a high school equivalency diploma. The GED program gives students the opportunity to work at their own pace, something Duffy and Duntz appreciate since each struggled with their studies before entering the program.
“It changed my life,” said Duntz, who hopes to earn his GED by June of 2023. “I have no idea where I would be without it. They helped me with everything here, not just school work.
“It isn’t so stressful. That is what makes me able to come every day. It makes it easier waking up knowing I have this paper and then the next. That’s what I like.”
Duffy is hoping to pass his final test and graduate in January or February. Students earn their GED after passing four tests – reading and writing, social studies, science and math.
“It helps me learn a lot more than you would learn in a regular class,” said Duffy of Hyde Park. “You could do this in your own time, speed and pace.
“As soon as I came here, my scores were going higher than they’ve ever been, and my parents were very happy about it. I was happy about it. I love it here. People are very nice here.”
Duntz, a resident of Germantown, said teachers are understanding if a student feels overwhelmed or is having a bad day.
“If you have a bad day, they give you that break,” said Duntz. “They give you that time and don’t hold it against you. Tomorrow we’ll start it or whenever you’re comfortable.”
Duntz is uncertain of his plans after earning his GED. Duffy is planning to be an auto mechanic and hopes to attend a trade school.
“I’ve dealt with cars for most of my life now,” said Duffy. “It’s a passion to me. I love cars. I love working on them.”
Jim Fraser has been at Dutchess BOCES since 1999 and has been a GED instructor for the past few years.
“I hope they get prepared for whatever is next,” said Fraser of students in the program. “The biggest thing is to give them good work habits, be respectful, and this group, we’ve been pretty successful. They’re very respectful and they are hard working.”
Published December 2, 2022