Dual College Credit Program

At Science Academies of New York (SANY) Charter Schools, our mission is simple yet powerful — to prepare every student not only for graduation but for lifelong success. One of the most impactful ways we do this is through our Dual College Credit Program, which allows high school students to take college-level courses and earn real college credits before they even leave high school.

This initiative reflects our belief that early exposure to rigorous academics strengthens confidence, builds independence, and empowers students to see themselves as future college graduates. By participating in dual credit opportunities, students bridge the gap between high school and college, gaining both experience and momentum on their journey toward higher education and future careers.

The Dual College Credit Program was created to open doors — to opportunity, to affordability, and to achievement.

SANY’s goals for this program are to:

Inspire academic excellence by challenging students with authentic college-level learning experiences.
Ease the financial burden of college by offering transferable credits at no cost to families.
Accelerate college completion, enabling students to graduate early or pursue double majors, minors, or study abroad opportunities later on.
Build confidence and readiness for the pace and expectations of college coursework.

In short, SANY’s dual credit initiative gives our students a head start — academically, financially, and personally.

SANY partners with several respected higher education institutions that share our dedication to academic quality and student growth:

Syracuse Academy of Science (SAS): Onondaga Community College, D’Youville University, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF)
Utica Academy of Science (UAS): Mohawk Valley Community College and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF)

These partnerships create seamless connections between high school coursework and college degree pathways — giving students a clear and supported route from classroom to campus.

Each year, SANY offers a diverse lineup of dual credit courses across multiple disciplines. Course selections may vary annually but commonly include:

Mathematics: College Algebra, Statistics, Pre-Calculus
Science: Environmental Science, Biology, Physics
Social Studies: U.S. History, Government, Psychology
Technology: Computer Science, Web Design, Engineering Principles
Fine Arts: Art Appreciation, Music Theory
English Language Arts: College Composition, Literature, Public Speaking

This range of offerings allows students to explore academic interests, strengthen college readiness, and fulfill both high school and college graduation requirements simultaneously.

Dual credit courses are taught on SANY campuses by our own highly qualified faculty who have been certified by our college partners. These instructors undergo training and credential verification to ensure the coursework meets college standards and outcomes.

This model allows students to experience college-level rigor within the comfort and support of their own high school, surrounded by teachers and mentors who know them well.

Credits earned through SANY’s Dual College Credit Program are fully recorded on both high school and college transcripts, providing students with official college credit before graduation.

Credits are automatically transferable to the partner institutions.
Many other colleges and universities also accept these credits — though transfer policies vary by institution.

Families are encouraged to contact the registrar’s office at the colleges their child may attend to confirm transfer eligibility and learn how credits may apply toward degree requirements.

Dual credit courses are weighted the same as AP or IB classes, acknowledging their rigor and importance. Depending on the receiving college’s policy, these credits may count toward:

General education requirements, or
Elective courses within a degree program.

This ensures that students’ efforts are rewarded with meaningful progress toward their future academic goals.

Participation is open to motivated students who demonstrate academic readiness and a strong work ethic. Requirements include:

Being in good academic and behavioral standing
Receiving a teacher recommendation
Successfully completing any prerequisite courses

There is no GPA minimum, no application, and no placement exam required. SANY’s approach is inclusive — we believe that potential should be nurtured, not filtered.

Students who maximize their participation in dual credit, Early OCC at SAS, or Early College at UAS can earn up to an associate’s degree by the time they graduate high school. This remarkable achievement sets them apart — not only saving families thousands of dollars in tuition but also positioning them to enter college as sophomores or even juniors.

SANY ensures that financial barriers never stand in the way of student opportunity:

Tuition is completely free for all dual credit courses.
Textbooks and materials are provided at no cost by SANY.

Our goal is to make higher learning accessible, equitable, and attainable for all students — regardless of background or income.

Dual credit courses are carefully integrated into each student’s high school schedule.

They fulfill high school graduation requirements while also counting toward college degree progress.
These courses appear on both the student’s high school and college transcripts, providing official documentation of academic achievement recognized by both systems.

Earning college credits in high school is a powerful signal to college admissions officers. Students who participate in SANY’s Dual College Credit Program demonstrate:

Intellectual curiosity and discipline
Academic resilience in handling advanced coursework
Commitment to personal and educational growth

As a result, these students often enjoy priority consideration in admissions, scholarship eligibility, and program placement. In many cases, they enter college already halfway toward their degree — prepared, confident, and ahead of the curve.

Our Dual College Credit Program embodies what makes SANY schools distinct — a forward-thinking, opportunity-driven approach rooted in strong academics and unwavering support. We’re not just preparing students for college; we’re helping them become college students before they even leave high school.