A local tech fellowship is recruiting residents for their next class of students.

Marcy Lab School executive director and co-founder Reuben Ogbonna says they want to serve 100 students next year to help rebound from the pandemic.

Ogbonna helped create the school when he noticed many high school graduates couldn’t afford to go to college but had the hunger to chase technology and opportunity.

Students can complete the program in a year and upon graduation have the opportunity to interview for entry level high-paying positions at some of the biggest companies in technology.

Current employment partners include Spotify, the New York Times, Asana and others.

“Companies were so desperate for qualified talent, specifically diverse talent that they would be willing to take away the college degree requirement for some of the most coveted jobs at these companies,” Ogbonna says.

Eleven students graduated from Marcy Lab School, with some earning jobs six-figure salaries. Students currently enrolled like Itzel Rendon say the employment opportunities they are interviewing for will help them get ahead financially.

“I am finally stepping into some wealth,” Rendon says. “I couldn’t afford to receive a college degree, but maybe my brothers, if they want to, can do that, because I can help pay for college tuition.”

Applications for the Marcy Lab School are now open.