High School Scholars Academy Frequently Asked Questions

The first priority of each HSSA student is to finish their high school graduation requirements. All HSSA juniors take Honors English 3 and all HSSA seniors take Honors English 4 in the fall semester. Both English courses are taught by a high school educator on LR’s campus. AP Language and AP Literature are offered as optional courses in the spring semester. Remaining requirements are fulfilled by taking college-level courses at Lenoir-Rhyne that have been approved by a student’s public school system to fulfill graduation requirements. 

If a student’s public school system does not approve an LR course to fulfill a high school graduation requirement, students can take this course at their home high school or through an online learning platform such as NCVPS or Online Catawba. Once a HSSA student finishes their high school graduation requirements, they will take LR classes for college transfer credit. 

Applications are accepted from public school, private school, and homeschool students. Preference is given to students enrolled in local public school systems such as Hickory Public Schools, Catawba County Schools, and Newton-Conover City Schools. If private or home school students are accepted into the program, they must enroll at the public school in their district to participate.

All 100- and 200-level Lenoir-Rhyne classes are open to HSSA students. Common classes include Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus I/II, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Astronomy, Physics, Environmental Science, Earth Science, Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, Humanities, Spanish, French, Chinese, German, U.S. History, World History, American Government, Micro/Macro Economics, Business, Religion, Music Appreciation, Art Appreciation, Theater Appreciation, Personal Wellness, Nutrition, Public Speaking and many more.

Students model the 4-block schedule from local public school systems, typically taking 4 classes per semester. 

Junior Fall
Honors English III
LR Class
LR Class
LR Class

Junior Spring 
AP Language/LR Class
LR Class
LR Class
LR Class

Senior Fall
Honors English IV
LR Class
LR Class
LR Class

Senior Spring
AP Literature/LR Class
LR Class
LR Class
LR Class
 

Students can earn 9-10 hours of college transfer credit per semester, totaling 18-20 hours of college transfer credit per year. 
 

HSSA students report to Lenoir-Rhyne each day for classes. In between classes, students are encouraged to utilize campus spaces such the library and learning commons, various study spaces throughout campus, the dining hall, Joe’s Coffee, and Chick-fil-a. 

HSSA students also have access to a space of their own, the “HSSA House,” to build community, foster learning, and study. Once a student finishes classes for the day, they do not have to stay on campus. As such, HSSA students enjoy greater flexibility in their schedules compared to the regular high school student. 
 

Absolutely. It is encouraged that students participate in opportunities at their home high school such as athletics, chorus, marching band and clubs. Students will also participate in activities such as homecoming, prom and graduation at their home high school. 
 

Students are invited to take part in campus life at Lenoir-Rhyne. For example, students can attend at all athletic, speaker, and performing arts events on campus for free, can participate in student clubs and organizations (with the exception of Greek Life and varsity athletics), and have access to career services, the fitness center, tutoring services, and the writing center. 
 

Students follow the Lenoir-Rhyne academic calendar. This includes fall break, Thanksgiving break, winter break and spring break. On inclement weather days, students follow safety procedures for Lenoir-Rhyne, not their home high school. 
 

HSSA tuition for the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 academic year is $210 per credit hour. Tuition does not include the cost of course materials or books. 
 

All HSSA students must be at least 16 years of age before the first day of class.