Cohoes seniors in the Future Ready Pathways (FRP) program earned a combined 293 college credits during the fall semester of the 2020-21 school year. FRP students take classes through Hudson Valley Community College, which is fully remote due to the coronavirus.
“These achievements are impressive under normal circumstances, but for these students to make the adjustment to all-virtual and have such success is really commendable,” FRP Coordinator/CHS Counselor Chris Fournier said.
In total, the students completed 90 courses, achieving a grade of C or better in 87 of them. To make a college credit transferable, a grade of at least a C is typically required.
The group of 25 seniors comprises the first cohort of the FRP program, which provides year-round mentoring and support to students as they pursue a Regents diploma before graduating high school. The classes are offered at no cost to students or their families by virtue of the Smart Transfer Early College High School grant from the New York State Education Department.
“They’re the guinea pigs,” Fournier said. “They’ve exceeded our expectations and have really charted a path as pioneers for this program.”
As full-time college students, FRP scholars also qualify for academic awards. Eight seniors made the HVCC President’s List (3.5+ GPA) and four were named to the Dean’s List (3.0-3.5 GPA) for the semester.