A.C.E. Access to College Education

Access to College Education (ACE) provides resources and services to expand and support the educational aspirations of students who may be limited by social and/or economic circumstances. Developed in 1989, ACE is an innovative partnership among local school districts and Cornell University, Ithaca College, SUNY Cortland, and Tompkins Cortland Community College.  Presently, ACE includes 11 school districts with over 700 students  enrolled in the Program. (Candor; Cincinnatus; Cortland; DeRuyter; Groton; Homer; Ithaca; Lansing; Newfield; South Seneca; and Tully)

The program is basically designed around the idea of early identification of the factors in a youngster's life which might inhibit his/her aspirations toward a college education. Once selected by staff in schools, students are given the opportunity to participate in a series of activities based on their interests/abilities throughout their secondary school years.

ACE students strive for specific levels of academic achievement and participate in ACE-sponsored events throughout their years in high school.  

ACE is a unique consortium of four institutions: Cornell University, Ithaca College , SUNY Cortland and Tompkins Cortland Community College , working in partnership with twelve local school districts.