News & Media

Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) has approved a pre-college agreement with Lackawanna College, enabling CCA students to earn college credits while still in high school.

This agreement, signed in January 2025, will be offered for CCA students online and in-person for any student near a Lackawanna College satellite campus or main campus.

“This partnership will provide CCA students with the ability to concurrently obtain high school and college credit while completing their secondary education program, which will give them a jump start on their post-high school career goals,” said Thomas D. Longenecker, CCA President and CEO. “CCA students can leverage CCA’s flexible schedule to accommodate their concurrent enrollment in Lackawanna College, giving them the opportunity to earn a significant number of college credits, which, in the long run, will reduce their overall costs and time spent completing their postsecondary education. We want students to focus on programs that align with their goals and provide them with family-sustaining jobs in Pennsylvania.”

CCA students will be encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity through the CCA career readiness team, school counselors, career exploration, and during course selection.

“I am thrilled that Lackawanna College is partnering with Commonwealth Charter Academy. This collaboration will provide CCA students across the state with access to Lackawanna College’s curriculum. As online learners, these students are already equipped with the skills and discipline needed to excel in college-level courses, making this partnership a natural fit for their continued success,” said Philip Campbell, Director of College Partnerships at Lackawanna College.

The goal of this partnership aligns with Lackawanna College’s commitment to making college more accessible. Lackawanna College creates affordable career pathways, by helping high school students receive access to college level classes through dual enrollment. The college continues to strengthen community ties and prepare students for higher education, while also supporting both student achievement and workforce development.

“At Lackawanna College, we believe in meeting students where they are. Partnering with CCA allows us to extend our reach to motivated online learners across Pennsylvania, providing them with a seamless transition to college-level coursework,” said Jill Murray, Ph.D., Lackawanna College President and Chief Innovation Officer.

About Commonwealth Charter Academy

Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) is Pennsylvania’s most sought-after public cyber charter school serving more than 35,000 students in grades K through 12. With more than 20 years of experience in delivering online education, CCA provides flexible, personalized, and student-focused education programs and services. CCA is a family service organization that creates an educational experience and social learning opportunities for the entire family, including more than 1,000 educational field trips, hands-on workshops, community events, and more. Learn more about CCA at ccaeducate.me.

About Lackawanna College’s Pre-College Program

Lackawanna College’s Pre-College Program offers high school students a unique opportunity to accelerate their academic journey by earning college credits before graduation. This initiative helps students save on future tuition costs, explore diverse academic fields, and gain valuable experience to ease their transition into higher education.

Our program provides flexible learning options tailored to meet students’ needs:
• In-Person: Attend daytime or evening classes at any Lackawanna College location, offering a traditional classroom experience.
• Online: Utilize the convenience of our Learning Management System (Canvas) to complete courses online, allowing students to learn at their own pace.
• Concurrent Enrollment: Take college-level courses directly at your high school. We collaborate closely with schools to align our curriculum, including Advanced Placement (AP) and other qualifying courses, with their offerings.

Through these options, Lackawanna College focuses on academic enrichment and college readiness, empowering students to take confident steps toward their educational goals. For more information or to discuss partnership opportunities, please contact our Director of College Partnerships, Philip Campbell, at campbellp@lackawanna.edu.