Congratulations to senior Thomas Schoonmaker, who became Hancock High School’s first concurrent community college/high school graduate May 23.
Recognized last year as an Akshar All-Star for his leadership and school spirit, Thomas earned an Associate in Science Degree from Tompkins Cortland Community College by following Hancock’s Pathway to a Community College Degree.
Thomas is also a member of Hancock's National Honor Society and a Midstate Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete Award winner. Thomas' mother, Heather, and his father, Jamie, were joined by Hancock Central School District Superintendent Terry Dougherty at Thursday's graduation ceremony.
The “Pathway” gives students an opportunity to earn up to 60 college credits and a community college degree before high school graduation through courses offered by Tompkins Cortland and Hudson Valley community colleges via Dual-Credit articulations, the CollegeNow program and Distance-Learning classes.
Dual-Credit courses give Hancock students the ability to earn college credits while sitting for locally offered courses taught by high school teachers.
CollegeNow is an online, self-directed course of study.
Distance-Learning classes are received by HCSD students in a state-of-the-art distance-learning lab on the third floor of the middle/high school building. High school staff members provide supervision and support in the distance-learning lab.
The Hancock Central School District will continue to offer students college-level courses while attending Hancock High School during the 2019-2020 academic year. The majority of classes are offered to students at no cost. Additionally, most college credits earned at Hancock High School are transferable to colleges/universities throughout New York and Pennsylvania.
For more information, including a comprehensive list of college course offerings, visit the Hancock Central School District website at https://www.hancock.stier.org or call the high school guidance office at 607-637-1306.