
School Year High School U
School Year High School U
The Neighborhood Learning Alliance High School University (HSU) Program partners with Carlow University and CCAC to provide primarily low-income and students of color access to free college courses and work-related work experience. Students can enroll in one course per semester (Summer, Fall, Spring). The model includes services such as: Mandatory tutoring for college courses, tutoring for high school courses, high school and college preparation counseling, career exploration, work experience, community engagement, and leadership development.
- tutoring/study skills
- free college courses
- internships
- shadow experiences
- career workshops
- paid work experiences
- TEAs exam prep for nursing students
- Praxis I exam prep for students interested in education
- SAT prep
- college exploration
- community service
Career Pathways


Nursing and Healthcare Careers
A partnership between Neighborhood Learning Alliance, West Penn Hospital, Community College of Allegheny County, and Carlow University. Students earn college credits aligned to health career college majors through our partnership with CCAC and Carlow University. In addition, students engage in paid work experience at West Penn Hospital where the students participate in rotations of various medical departments.
Work Experience: Students engage in a paid shadow work experience for 80+ hours in the summer at West Penn Hospital and 12-18 hours during the school year.
Professional Engagements: Students participate in career fairs, workshops, site visits, etc.
College Credits: Earn general requirement and STEM based college credits at CCAC and Carlow University. Students have the option to enroll in the High School U School Year & Summer Programs.
Competitive Edge: Students will gain real-world experience shadowing doctors, nurses, and other health career professionals while in high school. In addition, students will earn free college courses.
Business and Entrepreneurship Careers
Students earn college credits towards the CCAC Supervision & Leadership Certificate and Entrepreneurship Certificate. Students meet local business owners, startups, and corporate leaders and learn the various experiences in the business field. Student participants can gain experience to enter the workforce straight after high school or prerequisites for business majors.
Work Experience: Students engage in a paid shadow work experience for 80+ hours in the summer at local businesses in the Pittsburgh region and 25+ hours during the school year.
Professional Engagements: Students participate in career fairs, workshops, site visits, etc.
College Credits: Earn general requirement and business course related college credits at CCAC. Students have the option to enroll in the High School U School Year & Summer Programs.
Competitive Edge: Students will gain real-world experience shadowing entrepreneurs, start-ups, small businesses, corporate leaders, etc. In addition, students will earn free college courses.

Upcoming School Year (Fall, Spring) Courses
The Fall 2023 Business Communications and Biology in Everyday Life courses will both be held at Carlow University. Students must attend Orientation on September 30th or October 7th to participate in the program. An invite will be sent to students once they register. Both courses occur on Saturdays with virtual tutoring in the evening for one-to-two hours during the week. Please click “more information” below for further details about the courses. Interested students please apply now and a team member will be in contact shortly to answer your questions.
Business Communications (3 credits)
This course is an introductory course dealing with today’s global business environment and management principles. Overview topics include types of business organizations, their structures, dynamics, administration, and work distribution functions such as directing, controlling, and staffing. Management topics will include budget, technology, human resources, supply chain and project management skills. Students will design, develop and present an organizational deliverable that is suitable for distribution to supervisory management. This class will occur on Saturdays, October 7th – December 2nd, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Biology in Everyday Life (3 credits)
This course introduces students to a broad overview of biological concepts that are regularly encountered in everyday life. Students will examine topics that relate to health, medical, agricultural, and ecological issues in contemporary society. In addition to exploring these themes, the course will help students develop their scientific vocabulary and technical skills in order to work confidently in the college laboratory setting. This class will occur on Saturdays, October 21st – December 9th, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm