HEUVELTON — Heuvelton Central School District recently celebrated the success of junior Stanley LaFave, whose participation in the Drone and Computer Technologies Program at Madrid-Waddington Central School during the 2025-26 school year demonstrates the impact of regional collaboration in expanding graduation pathways for students across the North Country.

In addition to gaining access to advanced coursework and industry-aligned learning experiences, Stanley had the opportunity to join and compete with the Madrid-Waddington Drone Soccer Team.

This spring, Stanley traveled with his teammates to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, where they competed in the 2026 U.S. Drone Soccer National Championship.

For students from small rural communities, competing on a national aviation stage underscores what is possible when districts share resources and programs.

Regional Solutions to Expanding Graduation Pathways

Across New York state, districts are working to define and implement Portrait of a Graduate and NY Inspires, both of which emphasize the importance of hands-on learning, collaboration and real-world knowledge. For rural districts, many of which are experiencing enrollment declines because of population loss, offering graduation pathways can be challenging when specialized programs require staff, facilities and resources that are difficult to sustain independently.

The North Country has built a foundation of shared services through St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES, which employs shared staff and hosts students at multiple Career and Technical Education facilities throughout the region, where they learn a variety of trades. These programs are in such high demand that many are at or near capacity.

Madrid-Waddington is one of the districts in the region with the staffing, expertise and infrastructure to house a Drone and Computer Technologies Program in partnership with SUNY Canton. Recognizing that not all districts can offer such a program in-house, and that many local BOCES CTE buildings are at or near capacity, Madrid-Waddington has opened enrollment to students from neighboring districts, including Heuvelton.

“When school districts share opportunities like these, they expand the pathways available for students to learn, grow and excel,” said St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES District Superintendent Darin Saiff. “These programs open new avenues for students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in meaningful ways. As New York state shifts from educating all children to educating each child, these shared opportunities allow one district’s expertise to strengthen student learning and engagement across the North Country.”

Inside the Drone and Computer Technologies Program

The Drone and Computer Technologies Program at Madrid-Waddington is a two-year, dual-enrollment pathway that allows students to earn up to 30 SUNY Canton college credits.

As juniors, students begin with foundational skills in aviation, cybersecurity, programming and engineering. Courses include FAA Part 107 Certification, Introduction to Flight, Survey of Cybersecurity, Python Programming Fundamentals, UAS Missions: Photography, 3D Printing, AI Literacy, and Laser & Textile Printing/Drone Soccer.

As seniors, coursework deepens students’ technical expertise and introduces advanced drone operations, engineering design and electronic fabrication. Courses include Advanced Drone Soccer, Drawing for Engineers, 3D Modeling for UAS, Introduction to UAS Mapping, Computer and Logic Algorithms, Electronic Fabrications for UAS, and Introduction to UAS Cargo Missions.

Students who complete the two-year program also earn 12 SUNY Canton microcredential credits in drone technology, preparing them for advanced aviation coursework, engineering programs or immediate entry into drone-related industries.

More information about the program is available at www.mwcsk12.org/technology.

Stanley’s Story: What Shared Programming Makes Possible

For Stanley, the program has been transformative. Through the dual-enrollment structure, he has begun earning college credits, gained hands-on experience with drone technology and engineering tools, and discovered a passion for drone soccer, a sport that blends aviation, robotics and teamwork.

The program also allowed him to earn his FAA Part 107 commercial drone pilot license, opening immediate employment opportunities in photography, surveying, inspection, agriculture and other drone-related industries.

Stanley’s participation on the drone soccer team, which culminated in a national championship in Daytona Beach earlier this month, shows how shared programming can unlock opportunities that might not otherwise exist for students in North Country districts.

“Our students stepped onto a national stage at one of the premier aviation and aerospace institutions in the world,” said Madrid-Waddington Superintendent Eric Burke. “This experience allowed our students, and some from other North Country schools, to engage with world-class drone and aviation technology while developing the communication, collaboration, problem-solving and adaptability skills that align directly with New York’s Portrait of a Graduate initiative and the growing importance of industry microcredentials.”

A Vision for the North Country

While districts in the North Country are accustomed to shared services through St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES, Heuvelton Central School Superintendent Jesse Coburn said continuing to find new ways to collaborate is essential to expanding opportunities for students.

“A concern among smaller rural schools is being able to provide our students with a wide range of graduation pathways and learning opportunities that match their hopes and talents. Our schools strive to offer the same programs and opportunities available across New York state,” Coburn said. “The evolution of graduation pathways is a different lens for sharing services, but it has the same goal of providing our students with rich learning opportunities.”

As more districts explore their ability to host specialized programs and open them to students from neighboring districts, the North Country can build a stronger and more diverse network of learning opportunities. Stanley’s experience is a powerful example of what is possible when districts pool resources, share expertise and work together to prepare students for the future.