The largest grant in Albany School District history means major changes are coming to the high school. Our Erin Connolly has more on the plans to restructure Albany High.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- Every day 2,400 students walk these halls at Albany High School. Statistics show only half of them will graduate. But now the Albany City School District is shaking things up, to help more students make the grade.

Superintendent Ray Colucciello said, ''We will put young people in rigorous courses in this high school and in some cases we may drag them screaming to it.''

Thanks to a three-year $7.5 million federal grant, Albany High students will choose from four themed academies next year. School officials hope these smaller learning communities will help reach the students on a different level.

Math teacher Marie Taber said, ''This is the beginning of a journey I've been longing for, for many, many years.''

The Citizenship Academy will focus on Global Studies, the Discovery Academy on arts, the Innovation Academy on STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math - and, lastly, the Leadership Academy will focus on Civic and Social Responsibilities. A lottery will be held in December to enroll students into each.

Student Jovaughna Honeyghan said, ''I think it's really good. We need more kids going to school and getting their business done and getting ready to graduate.''

So how will this lottery system work? Well, that question still has no answers. And that could be a concern for students wanting to get into a specific academy.

Student Meredith O'Connell said, ''I'm definitely concerned. As a senior you have so many electives to choose from. So I don't know how that's going to work because I already have my schedule in my head for next year for classes I want to take so I don't know how much leeway I'll get with these learning communities.''

The grant will also fund 16 new positions as well as tutoring and summer programs for the students. But ironing out all the details still needs to take place.

Colucciello said, ''It's going to be frustrating at times because we may not be there as fast as we want, but the vision was given to us three years ago by a whole lot of folks, and now we have to carry out the vision.''