Cy-Fair ISD is adding four high schools to its College Academy program, a partnership with Lone Star College-CyFair that allows students to work toward earning an Associate of Science degree by the time they graduate from high school.

Cypress Park, Cypress Ridge, Cypress Woods and Langham Creek high schools have launched the program with the class of 2022. The program started at Cypress Lakes High School in the 2017-18 school year.

New academies are scheduled to begin for the class of 2023 at Cy-Fair, Cypress Creek, Cypress Falls, Cypress Springs and Jersey Village high schools, and officials said all high schools will be included within the next two years.

“Research has shown that when students earn college hours during high school, they are more likely to earn a college degree,” said Linda Macias, associate superintendent of curriculum, instruction and accountability, in a statement. "Our College Academy students will be able to graduate from high school with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree from LSC-CyFair.”

According to the district, 416 eligible students were accepted to the College Academy. Students who were the first generation in their families to attend college or economically disadvantaged, high achievers, and underserved students were given priority.

Starting in the ninth grade, students prepare for college-ready assessments and begin taking dual-credit courses as early as the summer before their sophomore year in high school. The dual-credit schedule continues through senior year, including opportunities to take courses during the summer.

While a three-hour course at Lone Star College costs $220 for the 2018-19 school year, tuition is waived for dual-credit students, who only pay about $73 in fees for each three-hour course, according to a press release.

To learn more about CFISD’s College Academy program, visit www.cfisd.net.