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Parents of Students Entering 9th Grade 2025-26-Smart Scholars Early College HS-Performing Arts Academy- Application- Reserve your child's spot

Posted Date: 6/09/25 (7:00 PM)
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Dear Parent/Guardians.

To apply for the Smart Scholars -Early College High School -Performing Arts Academy at the Poughkeepsie High School next school year 2025-26.  

**Please complete the Registration Form at this link    https://forms.gle/tBb9HH5iz4KU5iqY6 

Reach out to Dr. Janety Encarnacion by email jencarnacion@poughkeepsieschools.org or by phone 845-451-4900 extension 1372, if you have any questions. 

Information about the Program

The Smart Scholars-Performing Arts Academy is a program that takes place at the High School.  This program will also have a special Summer programming at Dutchess Community College at the end of 9th grade where students will go to the college and experience the college life and community.  In 9th grade, students will follow their regular high school schedules and college courses will be added to their high school course schedule in grades 10-12.  By the end of the 4 years, students will graduate with a high school diploma and up to 24 college credits.  Students will be generally introduced to different Performing Arts areas of concentration  (Dance, Music or Theater). Students accepted in this program will have extra academic and counseling support starting in 9th grade to ensure they are supported to begin their college courses and for them to be successful. This is an amazing opportunity for students who are interested in the Performing Arts, even if they do not intend to major in this area, as there are so many transferable skills such as developing communication skills, time management and others that students can take into any other areas of their lives or the workforce, not to mention getting ahead in understanding college/university life and expectations. It is important for parents to understand that college credits earned in this program can be transferred to all SUNY universities and that private universities would go through their transfer credits process to make that determination. Also, many students who study the Performing Arts also go into other college majors such as business, medical schools and law schools to name a few- again, they are able to take all of the transferrable skills the performing arts gives them and transfer them to very successful careers in all areas.