StellarBridges Academy @ Erasmus High School
Healthcare Career Readiness for 11th & 12th Graders
Executive Summary
Too many young people graduate high school without clear credentials or pathways into good jobs. StellarBridges Academy @ Erasmus High School changes that. We help students earn industry-recognized healthcare certifications while still in school, supported by hands-on learning, family engagement, and wraparound services.
By graduation, every student leaves with certifications, a career portfolio, and real-world experiences that open doors to college, apprenticeships, or employment.
Pilot Program
$400,000 to launch January–June 2026
50 students
Full-Year Program
$950,000 annual investment
100 students
This directly supports DOE priorities: equity, higher graduation rates, and postsecondary readiness.
Program Overview
StellarBridges Academy is a Career & Technical Education (CTE) program designed to prepare Erasmus HS students for healthcare careers. The program blends classroom instruction, certification training, applied labs, and community-based experiences.
It is intentionally designed to reduce barriers for underserved youth, offering stipends, case management, and family engagement.
Program Structure
01
11th Grade Foundations
  • Safety & compliance: OSHA-10, Stop the Bleed, HIPAA.
  • Teen Mental Health First Aid.
  • Intro clinical skills: medical terminology, vital signs, intake role-play.
  • Professionalism and career readiness.
  • Four specialization tryouts (sterile processing, health admin, logistics, community health).
  • Weekly Phewsioneering labs to build teamwork, creativity, and innovation.
02
12th Grade Specialization
  • Orientation and CPR/AED + First Aid, HIPAA refresh.
  • Students choose a specialization track.
  • Applied labs, externship shadowing, employer networking.
  • Capstone showcase.
  • Phewsioneering projects integrated throughout.
03
Summer Bridge
  • Rising seniors: internships or volunteer work.
  • Graduates: fast-track exam prep and job placement support.
  • Case management and stipends continue into summer.
What Students Gain
Certifications
OSHA-10, Stop the Bleed, CPR/AED + First Aid, Teen MHFA, ServSafe/NYC Food Protection, HIPAA & Infection Control.
Professional Skills
Resume & LinkedIn, mock interviews, teamwork, financial literacy.
Real-World Experience
Field trips, externship exposure, employer panels, innovation showcases.
Career Portfolio
Digital and physical portfolio of certifications, projects, and accomplishments.
Supports
Case management, family workshops, milestone stipends.
Enrollment Model
Pilot (Jan–June 2026 + Summer)
25 students per grade
(50 total)
Full Year (Sept–June + Summer)
50 students per grade
(100 total)
Cohorts of 25 ensure safe labs, individualized advising, and strong outcomes.
Budget Proposal
Pilot Program
50 students, $400,000 / $8,000 per student
  • Staffing (director, 2 instructors, aides, case manager): $145,000
  • Certifications & Licensing: $40,000
  • Supplies, Labs & Tech (incl. Phewsioneering kits): $25,000
  • Stipends ($3,000/student): $150,000
  • Field Trips, Showcases, Family Engagement: $20,000
  • Evaluation & Data Tracking: $12,500
  • Admin/Overhead: $7,500
Full-Year Program
100 students, $950,000 / $9,500 per student
  • Staffing (director, 4 instructors, aides, case manager, evaluator, admin): $285,000
  • Certifications & Licensing: $80,000
  • Supplies, Labs & Tech (expanded Phewsioneering & simulation gear): $60,000
  • Stipends ($4,500/student): $450,000
  • Field Trips, Showcases, Employer Networking, Family Engagement: $35,000
  • Evaluation & Data Tracking: $25,000
  • Admin/Overhead: $15,000
Evaluation & Metrics
We will measure success in simple, clear ways:
% of students completing all certifications.
Attendance and GPA improvements.
Internship and summer job placements.
Postsecondary enrollment or employment within six months.
Regular DOE-aligned reporting and data dashboards.
Equity & Access
The program prioritizes students who are historically underserved, including first-generation college students and those underrepresented in healthcare careers.
Case Management
Individualized support to navigate barriers and challenges
Stipends
Financial support to reduce economic barriers to participation
Family Engagement
Workshops and support for families throughout the program
By situating the program at Erasmus HS in Brooklyn, we invest directly in the local community and its future workforce.
Sustainability & Partnerships
The pilot is designed to prove impact and then expand. DOE support will allow growth from 50 to 100 students annually.
We are also pursuing external support through WIOA workforce grants, HRSA funding, and healthcare employer partnerships. Potential partners include local hospitals, clinics, senior centers, community-based organizations, and colleges.
Student & Family Voice
Families are partners. We will host orientation nights, parent workshops on healthcare careers and financial aid, and invite families to year-end showcases.
Students shape the program through surveys and advisory groups, ensuring the model stays responsive to their needs.
Orientation Nights
Family introduction to program goals and opportunities
Parent Workshops
Healthcare careers and financial aid guidance
Year-End Showcases
Students present achievements to families and community
Impact Statement
Students
Graduate with certifications, portfolios, and real-world experience.
Schools
Higher engagement, stronger graduation rates, DOE CTE alignment.
Communities
Local healthcare workforce pipeline and stronger equity.
DOE
A scalable flagship model with clear return on investment.