The Smart Scholars – Early College High School 4-year pathway in Health Sciences will provide students with coursework in the basic sciences along with a concentration in specific health science areas. With proper course selection, students can continue into one of Hudson Valley Community College’s health science programs preparing students to transfer to a four-year institution and eventually enter the workforce in one of many entry-level health care positions.
For program requirements, click here.
Similarities / Differences
SS-ECHS
- 4-year curriculum
- 24-60 transferrable college credits
- No mentor requirement/component
- 51% of students must be from target school districts in Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene counties
Both
- Located on the HVCC Campus
- No cost to families
- Available to students from all local districts
- Supported by industry partners including the Artificial Intelligence Center for Excellence and Tech Valley Center of Gravity
- Fully aligned with HVCC's Computer Information Systems (CIS) program
- Focused on in-demand industries and jobs (web developers, engineers, environmental scientists)
- Dual enrollment - college coursework begins no later than 10th grade
- Articulation agreements with more than 50 colleges to transfer credit
- Workplace visits, internships, students first-in-line for job opportunities
- Courses taught by college faculty and/or HS teachers with adjunct status
- Access to all academic, social, planning and other supports provided to HVCC
P-TECH
- 6-year curriculum
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree
- Every student assigned an industry mentor
- Priority given to average cohort graduation rates below 82% per state grant