Niagara Academy celebrates graduation

Sixty-three students walked up to the podium at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES' Niagara Academy last month to receive congratulations from Principal Dr. Sushma Sztorc and Assistant Principal Denielle Ander and their diploma from their school district representatives.

Many of the students, who came from Niagara-Wheatfield, Akron, Albion, Barker, Grand Island, Kenmore-Tonawanda, Lewiston-Porter, Lockport, Medina, Newfane, North Tonawanda, Royalton Hartland, Starpoint, Tonawanda, Williamsville and Wilson, received their Regents diplomas. Several students also received their career and technical endorsements from the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center where they took a career and technical education program. 

The Niagara Academy is a comprehensive high school for students who cannot get their needs met in their home districts.

"Many of the students come to the Academy in the middle school and end up staying through their high school career," says Dr. Sztorc. "Over the years the teachers, instructional assistants and the support staff form tight bonds with them. Because of this bond and these relationships, the students want to perform and not just say, ‘the heck with it.' "