In a surprise announcement made Tuesday, Schenectady High School’s senior class of about 400 students learned they were instantly admitted to SUNY Schenectady County Community College.

“I was surprised,” senior Latchmie Sukhai said. “I never thought I’d get accepted.”

It’s called the Schenectady Promise, an initiative meant to reduce barriers many seniors face as graduation nears.

“There are people who either don’t want to go to college or don’t want to go through the process,” said senior Emilee Railine.

Railine already had applied and was accepted to SCCC. But she knows many of her classmates will make use of the unique opportunity.

“You have a backup if you don’t get into one,” she said. “Or if you didn’t really know what you want to do, it’s a free opportunity.”

All students have to do to attend the college this fall is graduate and figure out what they want to study. Fortunately for Railine, she has a plan in place.

“I’m going to start at SCCC for my first two years, and I’m going to study zoology,” she said.

This is the largest class to be instantly admitted to SUNY Schenectady.

“The focus can be on what they’re studying. Instead of worrying, staying up all night worrying where they’re going to go, you’re going to go to your community college, right here,” said SUNY Schenectady President Dr. Steady Moono.

District leaders called the relationship with the college invaluable.

“Some community colleges aren’t located in the city that they serve,” said Schenectady City School District Superintendent Anibal Soler Jr. “We want to make sure that when we make that handoff, that we’ve been talking to each other, figuring out programs and ways to partner.”