School Vision - What is our purpose?

As New York State’s longest running trade school, Saunders Trades & Technical High School offers 21st-century career and technical education (CTE) programming that qualifies graduates for immediate employment, college, or both. Academic instruction supports skill acquisition in students’ vocational, occupational or technical pathways to insure career readiness and enable them to actively participate and contribute to their community.

School Mission - How do we do it?

Since 1909, Saunders Trades & Technical High School has been committed to combined vocational and academic instruction that provided students skills for employment and academic preparation for college. Students ballot to major in one of eleven technical, vocational or occupational magnet programs while participating in academic classes, taking Regents exams, as well as college preparatory courses. Students complete all NYS high graduation requirements along with a four-year sequence of CTE coursework, employability profile, 54 work-based learning hours, hands on and practical industry assessments, and a Senior Exit Project in order to earn a technical CTE endorsement on their NYS Regents Diploma. Alongside the academic program, the school offers a wide diversity of athletics and clubs to provide students opportunities to develop as well-rounded citizens.

Each grade level will be assigned a school counselor, an Assistant Principal, and a grade level advisor to address student concerns. This team of professionals will use a variety of strategies to promote student success in all aspects of school life. Additionally, the following support staff is accessible for all students: school psychologist, social worker, student assistance counselor and a peer mediator.

Saunders High School is committed to strengthening our community outreach through a variety of avenues.   The community advisory committees developed by each magnet area will help to shape our industry-standards based curriculum.  We will maintain our work towards national certification for all occupational, vocational and technical majors in Saunders.  This ensures that the training for both students and staff remains current.  Saunders will continue to offer and expand our pre-apprentice/cooperative program in all vocational, occupational and technical areas for students who wish to seek post-secondary employment.  Dissemination of school publications to community members and parents will be increased through the use of the latest technologies available. Parental involvement is a vital part of the Saunders High School community.  Monthly school PTSA meetings will be scheduled to keep our parent body informed and involved. It is our expectation that membership and attendance at meetings will continue to increase.

We will continue to assess and measure the results and efficacy of our smaller learning communities by academic achievement, attendance, and the number of student referrals for disciplinary action. Collaborations with colleagues, research, workshops, planning sessions and guest speakers will help to further prepare staff for the challenges of the rigorous New York State Regents requirements, as well as the technological demands of the 21st Century.