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Paterson Public Schools Superintendent Eileen Shafer announced Friday that the district received $1,350,000 from technology company Amazon’s Future Engineer-Edhesive grant program for 15 district high school academies.

The grant will allow the academies to have access to Edhesive’s online computer science training and professional development courses, which will enhance the instruction of Introduction to Computer Science, Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A courses.

Edhesive is a for-profit collaborator with Amazon in providing a comprehensive computer science education program to encourage students from under-served and low-income communities to pursue careers in computer science. Edhesive has a 70 percent passing rate with AP exams for students who complete their program. The grant funding is being donated by Amazon.

“This is a tremendous infusion of resources that will benefit high school students throughout the district,” Shafer said in a statement. “Having Edhesive’s cutting-edge teaching resources available to our schools will help our students be better prepared to succeed in the computer sciences in college, and enter a STEM-related career as adults.”

The 15 schools that will receive $18,000 annually for five years are the School of Information Technology; the School of Government and Public Administration; the School of Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Academy; International High School; School of Architecture and Construction Trades; School of Business, Technology, Marketing and Finance; School of Education and Training; Rosa L. Parks School of Fine and Performing Arts; Garret Morgan Academy for Transportation and Engineering; Academy of Earth and Space Science; Academy of Health Science (HARP Academy); STARS Academy; Great Falls Academy; and Silk City Academy.

Two teachers from each academy will receive Edhesive’s professional development. Those teachers will be able to consult with Edhesive’s online teachers as needed. Every academy will have a designated point of contact with Edhesive.

Edhesive will also provide students with a 24/7 online tutor to assist with all course work, as well as an Amazon engineer as a mentor. Students will visit an Amazon fulfillment center as a field trip.

Students who successfully complete the courses and major in a technology-related field will be eligible to apply for a $10,000 grant from Amazon to help pay for college costs. They will also be eligible for internships at Amazon.