Over the last decade, the East Irondequoit Board of Education took on the challenge of providing access to college-level work in a diverse high school in which 51% of all students receive free or reduced priced lunch. Determined that financial restraints should not get in the way of students taking college-level courses, the district decided that it would foot the bill. All International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement exams are paid for by the district, which knocked down the barrier of financial need for participating in challenging classes that end in IB or AP exams. The district is also working in partnership with the International Baccalaureate Organization on strategies to increase the number of economically disadvantaged students who take IB courses.
In addition to the above, Eastridge High School entered a partnership with Monroe Community College (MCC) in 2014. The college brings guest speakers into classes and provides informational programs for parents or guardians in the evening. In addition, curriculum development and course advisors are all part of the partnership. Eastridge students can take MCC courses in high school for MCC credit. Teachers, counselors, and students are invited to visit the campus, and professors visit the high school classrooms. These opportunities for IB, AP, and MCC are part of the Eastridge program, all at no cost to students.