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Kutztown University's Early College Academy

High school seniors take real college classes on Kutztown University's campus and can finish up to 12 credits, a full semester of college, before graduation. Kutztown Area School District is one of KU's partner districts.

Visit KU's Early College Academy page

How it works

  • Two college courses in the fall and two in the spring, taught by KU faculty.
  • Classes run half a day, two or three days a week, in course sections set up to fit high school schedules.
  • Up to 12 credits by the end of the year: the same as one full-time college semester.
  • At some schools, students also do an internship on the other days of the week.

Three tracks

For 2026-27, KU offers three tracks. Each school district decides which ones its students can join.

Education

For students who like working with children. The four courses count toward KU's education majors, and some schools add an internship in their own elementary or middle schools.

Exploratory Studies

For seniors who plan to go to college, especially a four-year school, but haven't picked a major. The four courses count toward a college degree.

Health Sciences

For seniors curious about careers in health and human services. Courses look at health through communication, social work and the human side of health care.

What students get

  • A head start on a degree, and practice handling college work while still in high school.
  • Time on a college campus, including KU's Rohrbach Library, planetarium and STEAMWORKS makerspace.
  • Classmates from high schools across Berks, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton and Schuylkill counties.
  • Help from KU with applying, enrolling and registering for classes.

What it costs

Partner districts get a reduced tuition rate, and most fees are waived. For 2026-27, KU lists $350.25 per 3-credit course for students from partner districts, compared with $1,528.11 for students from other districts.

What your family actually pays, whether there's transportation, and which tracks are open are set by Kutztown Area School District. Ask the school counselor.

Key dates

Students apply during this school year for classes that start in fall 2027.

In-person and virtual information sessionsSeptember to December 2026
Early application deadlineTuesday, December 1, 2026
Early decisionsTuesday, January 5, 2027
Regular application deadlineFriday, January 29, 2027
Regular decisionsFriday, February 26, 2027
Celebration and induction dayWednesday, April 21, 2027
Orientation at KU (tentative)Monday, August 16, 2027
First day of classes (tentative)Monday, August 23, 2027

How the first year went

The Academy started in fall 2024 with an education track. Of 39 students from 14 districts, 37 finished the year. 30 applied to KU and 22 enrolled there the next fall.

Is it a good fit?

It suits students who want to try college-level work, can keep up with high school classes on the days in between, and have some idea of a direction, or want help finding one. Plan for it in 10th and 11th grade: keep your grades up and make sure the graduation requirements left for senior year fit around two or three half-days at KU.

Questions for the school counselor

  • Which tracks are open to Kutztown Area High School students this year?
  • What will our family pay, and is transportation provided?
  • What are the requirements to be admitted, and when are they due?
  • Which high school classes will I still take, and how do the KU courses show up on my transcript?
  • If I go to a college other than KU, will these credits transfer?

Make room for it in your plan

Your four-year plan shows what you still need to graduate. Finishing required courses before senior year leaves room for college classes.

Start a free plan See Kutztown Area High School's requirements

Sources

Checked against Kutztown University's website on Oct 6, 2026. Programs change, so check KU's page for the latest.