HBCU Early College Prep High School Opens in Queens
Delaware State University to be the exclusive higher education partner
Students can earn up to 64 college credits while in high school
Partnership modeled after successful Early College School on DSU’s campus in Dover
Delaware State University President Tony Allen joined New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos on Thursday to open the HBCU Early College Prep High School in Queens. An exclusive partnership with Delaware State University, the school is the first-of-its-kind for New York City Public Schools.
Students enrolled at the HBCU Early College Prep High School can earn up to 64 college credits toward an associate degree in Liberal Arts from Delaware State University while enrolled in high school. New York City Public Schools will fund the program at no cost to students.
“We are ringing in the school year with more investments to prepare our students for bold futures. Today, we are opening seven new public schools across the five boroughs, including the first ever HBCU Early College Prep High School, expanding programs for students with autism, rolling out our first batch of 5,000 new after-school seats, and so much more as we invest in our students and families,” said Mayor Adams. “We are thrilled to start the school year with these new investments, offering schools that honor our students’ rich backgrounds and histories and meet local needs, provide rigorous instruction, and prepare all of our students for the future. Our administration is laser focused on making New York the best place to raise a family, and that starts with providing our kids with a quality education.”
“The first day of school is my favorite day of the year,” said New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “As I watched my own daughter prepare for her first day of middle school, I was reminded of the tremendous trust families across the city place in us with their most precious gifts—their children. That is why we are committed to delivering on our promise to provide world-class education that prepares every single student for success. This year, we’ve opened seven brand-new, innovative schools, launched a device policy that will create more focused learning environments, and expanded our incredibly successful NYC Reads and NYC Solves programs to 186 additional schools across our system. I am beyond proud to lead New York City Public Schools in this groundbreaking work, and I can’t wait to see our students thrive throughout the school year.”
“We are thrilled to announce this innovative partnership with New York City Public Schools, which will not only prepare high school students for a college education, but give them a head start toward a bachelor’s degree while they’re still in high school,” said Tony Allen, President of Delaware State University. “We know this approach can work because we’ve seen it work. Hundreds of students are already enrolled at our Early College School in Dover, completing work toward their college degrees. This dual enrollment model can reduce the cost of college, make higher education more attainable for many families, and prepare our students with the skills they need to succeed in today’s economy. We’re ready to get started.”
“As a proud graduate of Delaware State University, I know firsthand the transformative power of an HBCU education. To see that same legacy take root here in Southeast Queens through HBCU Early College Prep is an honor beyond words,” said Dr. Shawn Rux, Senior Executive Director of the Office of New School Development & Design at New York City Public Schools. “This school is more than a building. It’s a promise to our students and families that their potential has no limits. I am proud to be part of this historic moment.”
The New York City Public Schools partnership is modeled after Delaware State University’s 11-year-old Early College School in Dover, which serves more than 600 students in grades 7-12. Over the last decade, ECS students have amassed 18,168 college credits, and more than 70 percent of the school’s students ultimately attend Delaware State University. Just last spring, two ECS students graduated from the ECS with high school diplomas and associate degrees from Delaware State University, an opportunity born out of the University’s acquisition of Wesley College in 2021.
“At the Early College School, we have seen firsthand how transformative it is when scholars are given the chance to pursue college-level work while still in high school. This partnership in Queens represents more than just access to credits—it represents access to opportunity, equity, and the belief that every scholar can succeed at the highest level,” said Dr. Nyia Pritchett, Principal of the Early College School at Delaware State University. “For families and the community, the school represents both opportunity and empowerment—ensuring that young people can pursue their academic goals with reduced financial barriers while experiencing the culture, history, and excellence of an HBCU. This partnership reflects our commitment to preparing the next generation of scholars, leaders, and change-makers who will positively impact their communities and beyond. We are proud that the model we built here at Delaware State University will now open doors for even more young people and their families.”
HBCU Early College Prep opened its doors on Thursday to more than 100 ninth-grade scholars as part of its historic first day. Led by founding principal and Delaware State University alumnus Dr. Asya Johnson, HBCU Early College Prep provides students with the world-class education of a New York City Public School while preparing them for life beyond high school and success in college. The school’s structure is rooted in the rich legacy of HBCUs and offers students a comprehensive experience that includes college courses, Greek life, Founder’s Day activities, Mr. and Miss Freshman competitions, Homecoming celebrations, and more.
“As the creator and founding principal of HBCU Early College Prep and a proud Delaware State University alumna, I am beyond excited to partner with my alma mater to give our scholars the opportunity to live as Hornets, embrace the HBCU legacy, and experience the cultural pride that shaped me,” said Dr. Johnson.
“For more than a decade, Delaware students and their families have been great beneficiaries of DSU’s Early College School, which has reduced the cost of higher education and accelerated their academic journeys,” said Dr. Kareem McLemore, Vice President of Strategic Enrollment at Delaware State University. “We are excited to partner with New York City Public Schools to provide the same opportunity.”
Click here for video from the announcement.