Guidance Counselors

Students meet with guidance counselors at their home school to begin an application.  Each district has a limited number of authorized portal users. Submission of an application indicates the district and parent both support the application. 

Program Selection

Based on district feedback, first and second choice must specify location. Applications will no longer "auto-refer" to another location that offers the same program. Students will be evaluated for their first choice before moving to consideration for their second choice. Applications must indicate the specific location desired.  If your student is not placed in their first or second choice, the application may be edited to select additional options.

Consideration for Skills Programs

Districts should indicate if they want the application considered for a Skills Program. Skill programs have limited seats and additional supports. They are billed at a different rate from general education programs. Selection of this option indicates district acceptance of the increased cost if the student is placed in the Skills program.

Physical Education Credit

Districts should also indicate if the student needs a physical education credit.

Beginning in 2025-2026 - a limited number of physical education seats are available at GC Tech as well as at Barry Tech in. Guidance counselors must indicate this on the application AND email the guidance counselor at the site:

• krecar@nasboces.org Karen Recar - Barry Tech
• spiarulli@nasboces.org Susan Piarulli - GC Tech

Selection Process

The application portal for the 2024-2025 will open in mid-February 2025. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. However, the process is not purely "first come, first served."  Every student application packet is read thoroughly by a site-specific committee.  The committee conducts a comprehensive review of the student's school records including attendance, transcripts, report cards, test scores, comments from school personnel, and a health record. The admissions process is a cooperative effort which involves the high school counselor and Nassau BOCES staff working together to provide students with appropriate course placement. We strongly encourage interested students to attend Open House and Taste of Tech events.  Please note that the Long Island High School of the Arts has additional requirements regarding portfolios and auditions. Details about their process can be found here.

For safety, class sizes are capped. A limited number of students will be waitlisted for each program. Students who are not accepted for their first or second choice may edit their application to be considered for additional choices. Students may apply to programs at Barry Tech, GC Tech and/or Long Island High School for the Arts on the same application.

The portal is updated to reflect a more linear process. Please be sure to indicate your students' first and second choices by program AND location.

The portal will reopen in Winter 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year. 

 Regional Schools and Instructional Programs / Online application for CTE programs.

Access to the District Portal is limited to those staff members authorized to submit on behalf of their district. Districts must limit their access to a small number of individuals who are authorized to finalize an application.  If we receive an application from an authorized user, we will consider the application as approved by the district.   Due to the large number of Districts served, we must limit the number of authorized users for the portal. 

 If you have any other concerns or questions, please contact one of our guidance counselors.  

If a student changes their mind about attending a program before the school year begins, you must immediately submit a withdrawal. Any changes after BOCES's first day of school requires a Program Change/Add form. This will open the seat to another interested student, and will adjust data for district billing appropriately.