The mission of the Freshman Academy is to ensure our incoming ninth-grade students actively engage in academic, social, and self-exploratory experiences designed to develop their awareness of the connection between success in high school and their life’s future.

The Freshman Academy serves students in ninth grade through many academic and extracurricular course offerings, all of which prepare them for the transition into high school. To increase engagement and success, students at the Freshman Academy are grouped into smaller learning communities known as teams, with peers with similar class schedules and teachers. Each student is supported by a team of invested core teachers, school counselors, and administrators. The team model creates the feel of a smaller learning community among 9th-grade students, teachers, and staff. An essential feature of the Freshman Leadership Community is our Freshman Experience Course, where students explore and discover interests, passions, and a variety of career fields before selecting their Schenectady High School Leadership Community Pathway for transition to their 10th-grade year. This educational framework builds a strong foundation for social-emotional development, and leadership skills creating successful and confident Schenectady High School students.