College Focus

College Focus (COFO) courses prepare 12^th grade students who are on track to graduate from high school, but not with college ready scores, for college-level work in English and/or math. At the completion of the COFO course, students take the CUNY Assessment Tests (CAT) as a final opportunity to qualify for college level work before graduation. Students who score at or above the College Readiness Benchmark on the CUNY Assessment Tests are exempt from any remedial courses in CUNY.

Eligibility for College Focus

Students are eligible for College Focus if they are high school seniors who are on-track to graduate with Regents/Common Core scores in either or both Math or English that will allow them to graduate, but aren’t high enough to meet the college readiness benchmark.

For College Focus (COFO) Math:

Seniors who scored a 65-69 on Common Core Algebra I or Geometry Regents

Have already successfully completed their commencement level credit math sequence (core math sequence), and
are on track to graduate with at least a 65 on ELA Regents and have excellent attendance records.

For College Focus (COFO) English:

Seniors who scored a 65-74 on the ELA Regents, and
Have excellent attendance records.

What is remediation?

Did you know that 1 in 4 college students have to take remedial classes? Did you know that remedial classes repeat high school material but cost more time and financial aid than college courses? Did you know that students in remediation cannot take the courses they need to graduation until they are remediation free? The new Excelsior Scholarship for graduating seniors who are eligible financially may not be able to take advantage because of the need for remediation. Students who are remedial free generally have enough grant money to see them through to graduation versus students with remedial who cannot begin their classes toward their degrees.

Some of our partner high schools conduct College Focus classes at their campuses:

Hillcrest High School – Math and ELA
Francis Lewis High School – Math
Bayside High School – Math
Martin Van Buren High School – Math and ELA
John Bowne High School – Math and ELA

Campus Cultural Centers

Kupferberg Holocaust Center

The KHC uses the lessons of the Holocaust to educate current and future generations about the ramifications of unbridled prejudice, racism and stereotyping.

Russian Ballet performing at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center

QPAC: Performing Arts Center

QPAC is an invaluable entertainment company in this region with a growing national reputation. The arts at QPAC continues to play a vital role in transforming lives and building stronger communities.

Queensborough Art Gallery exterior in the afternoon

QCC Art Gallery

The QCC Art Gallery of the City University of New York is a vital educational and cultural resource for Queensborough Community College, the Borough of Queens and the surrounding communities.