NYS - Smart Scholars - Early College High School

A partnership with Genesee Community College & Avon High School

Avon CSD in partnership with Genesee Community College partnered to offer Avon High School students an Early College High School experience where students may graduate high school with a high school diploma and an associate's degree.   The grant, awarded through the New York State Education Department, is the New York State Smart Scholars Early College High School or NYS-SS ECHS which is designed to support students starting with the 2024-2025 ninth graders. The goal is to help reach underserved students and schools, to provide an alignment of interests to college pathways, and provide students early career and academic exploration, advising, and planning.

Through the grant, Avon CSD will pay for the Genesee Community College credits for our students, starting with the Class of 2028.  At the present time, the partnership offers two pathways for college credit. One pathway will be a liberal arts general studies pathway. The other pathway focuses on computer information science. Students who participate in the ECHS program can earn a minimum of 24 college credits and up to 60 transferable college credits. Participating in the ECHS program is a great opportunity for early exposure to college and careers with a focus to earn an associate's degree with their high school diploma. The ECHS experience focuses on the skills to be college and career ready and opportunities for networking, job shadowing, and interning with local businesses so that students learn what employers are looking for and expect. Through the ECHS program, students have an advisor and support to transition within the program and to college. Post-high school, students are supported with the next steps in higher education and transferring to a four-year institution of higher education (IHE). The ultimate goal is to provide students with the opportunities to graduate and be able to successfully earn a living wage.

College-Going Culture Prepares Students to:

  • Be vulnerable (ask questions, be okay with being wrong, and learning from mistakes)

  • Self-advocate and seek help

  • Collaborate well with others

  • Take responsibility for their academic success and know where they stand in their classes

Evidence of a College-Going Culture in an ECHS Program High school demonstrates belief in its students:

  • Students build confidence by doing hard work

  • Students take responsibility for their learning and reflect on experiences and learn from them

  • Students learn to self-advocate and access resources to be successful

  • Develop persistence, grit, and a growth mindset - their world is expanded, they see the larger picture

  • Kids being curious! (The most successful students ask the best questions!)

Interested in learning more about the Avon-GCC NYS-Smart Scholars ECHS program? Please contact the Avon High School school counselors at 585-226-2455: Amanda Palmer (X 1729) or Liz Cooke-Megliore (X 1727) or Christina Ecklund, Director of Academic Programs, at 585-226-2455 X 1641.

Why Consider Avon & GCC's ECHS?

  1. College Credits: Avon ECHS students will graduate high school with 24-60 college credits, enabling them with the opportunity to complete an associate's degree at GCC.

  2. Liberal Arts - General Studies: These credits will align with the Liberal Arts degree. However, many courses will work for other degree programs if students change their mind during the process.

  3. Transferable Credits: Earned credits are fully transferable to any SUNY 2- or 4-year institution of higher education (IHE)

  4. Collaboration: This program is a partnership between colleges, public school districts, and industry partners. Current Avon ECHS

    partners are GCC, the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce Education to Workforce Development, and the Brockport Research

    I Institute. Avon continues to develop industry partner relationships.

  5. Fast-Track Learning: This pathway program allows students to speed up their postsecondary studies while still in high school.

  6. Support: The ECHS program allows for built in additional academic support that will ensure students are ready for both high school and college courses.

  7. Cost Savings: Students in the Avon ECHS program will earn college credits at no cost to them or their family.

Benefits of the Smart Scholars ECHS Program

  1. Career Exploration: The program offers opportunities for career exploration and skill development.

  2. Mentorship: Students receive guidance and mentorship from faculty and professionals in their chosen fields.

  3. Dual Diploma: The Smart Scholars Program is a statewide initiative designed to support the academic success of high school students by

    enabling them to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and college credits through early college experiences.

  4. Support: The program focuses on students who are often underrepresented in college but is open and beneficial for all students.