Page 29 - New York Statewide Smart Scholars Overview and Profiles

The Schenectady Smart Scholars ECHS Program offers two pathways of study. A
traditional Smart Scholars Program focusing on a liberal arts/humanities strand as well
as a Smart Scholars STEM strand for students focused on math and science careers.
All students begin the selection process in 8th grade by submitting an application, essay,
and recommendation letters. Students are interviewed and if selected, begin their ECHS
program during the summer between 8th and 9th grade by completing a Freshmen
Success Seminar course at Schenectady County Community College (SCCC). During
the traditional school year, students attend classes at Schenectady High School and
return to SCCC in the summers to complete their college courses. SCCC course
offerings include, Western Civilization, Introduction to Materials Science, Introduction to
Speech, and Introduction to Sociology.

In June 2014, we graduated our first class of Smart Scholars. 92% of this class
graduated on time, and 86% of the graduates went directly on to college, including
LeMoyne College, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), SUNY Albany, SUNY
Plattsburgh, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Old Westbury, Hamilton College, and Mount St.
Mary. Over half of our graduates (59%) continued at our IHE partner, SCCC.

Students attending Smart Scholars students
summer college course at using iPads to complete
Schenectady County "virtual" biology labs.
Community College
STEM Smart Scholars
students visited the College of
Nanoscience in Albany