City Scholars is a one-year program providing a post-graduate experience at The Academy at Watkinson for deserving Hartford public high school graduates. The Academy is a bridge year for college bound students who are not yet college ready. The program combines classes at Watkinson that help students strengthen their high school transcript, with classes at the University of Saint Joseph or the University of Hartford to help students develop the confidence that college requires while also earning college credit. Watkinson has graduated eight successful City Scholars so far.