CUNY Early College
About
The CUNY Early College program at LaGuardia Community College makes higher education more affordable by giving students the opportunity to earn up to two years of college credit while in high school – at no cost to students and their families.
Benefits
If you’re looking to earn college credits in high school and get a head start on your academic career, CUNY Early College at LaGuardia could be the right program for you. Here are just a few reasons why:
- Students earn college credits while in high school at absolutely no cost to your or your family.
- Students can potentially earn an associate degree while simultaneously earning their high school diploma.
- We provide you with free books and course materials for all your classes.
- Students get free access to our top-tier academic advisement team.
- CUNY Early College students have free access to most LaGuardia and CUNY facilities and resources, including:
- Library
- Tutoring services
- Gym
- Health Center
Partner High Schools
CUNY Early College introduces students to college life through strong partnerships with our three partner high schools.
Middle College High School
Middle College High School at LaGuardia Community College aims to motivate and empower students to take the initiative for their own academic and personal development within a small, highly personalized learning environment. Students at Middle College High School have the opportunity to earn an associate degree upon graduating from high school, allowing them to enter a four-year university as a sophomore or junior.
International High School
International High School offers a multicultural educational environment for recent arrivals that aims to serve students with varying degrees of limited English proficiency. The International High School’s curriculum combines comprehensive work in all subject areas with intensive study of the English language. Students will work closely with a team of interdisciplinary teachers to sharpen their English-language skills and lay the groundwork for further education in the United States.
Energy Tech High School
Energy Tech High School is a CUNY Early College and Career and Technical Education (CTE) school that focuses on building a skilled workforce for the fast-growing energy industry. Energy Tech’s mission is to prepare students for the demands of college and a range of competitive careers in engineering and technology in our local industries. In collaboration with local university and industry partners, Energy Tech provides students with the skills and understandings to earn a high school diploma, an associate’s degree, and to participate in a range of career readiness experiences over the course of a six-year program, covering grades 9-14.
Frequently Asked Questions
The CUNY Early College program makes higher education more accessible to historically underrepresented high school students, providing them with the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school. The program allows students to earn up to two-years of college credit or even an associate degree at a partnering CUNY college at no cost to them or their families.
You must be a student at one of LaGuardia’s three Early College partner schools (Middle College High School, International High School, or Energy Tech High School). Based on your performance at the high school, your guidance counselor will determine when you are ready for college courses and what college course is the most appropriate for you.
No, there are no costs associated with the Early College Program. College tuition and books are covered through the program.
You will work with your guidance counselor and college liaison to determine your academic path which will lead to either credit accumulation or an associate degree. Your academic path will determine the classes you will take while participating in CUNY Early College.
No, your high school counselor and academic liaison will work together to ensure that there are no conflicts between your high school classes and your college classes.
Yes, all college courses, whether you take them at the high school campus or in a college classroom at LaGuardia, are college courses that will show up on your official college transcript. You will earn college credits for all your college courses with a passing grade.
College courses follow LaGuardia’s Academic Calendar. During any given academic year, CUNY Early College students will have four chances to take college classes. Courses take place during the following terms:
- Fall I: September– December
- Fall II: January– February
- Spring I: March– June
- Spring II: June– July
Students should contact their guidance counselors or the college liaisons associated with their school.
Yes, you have the same benefits as any LaGuardia Students. You can find information about LaGuardia student clubs here. You can also find up-to-date information on events by checking My LaGuardia and the campus calendar.