LEWISTON — Lewiston- Porter High School students will soon have a new way to earn college credits and gain business experience.

The district is developing an Academy of International Business and Finance in partnership with Niagara University that will offer specialized college- level classes in culture studies, international trade and research beginning next fall. Summer internships will also be required as part of the competitive program.

It will be limited to 25 to 30 students based on academic performance, committee interviews and letters of recommendation. Freshmen will be able to apply in January, and the three-year program will begin their sophomore year.

The addition of the academy comes after successful student exchanges with China, Belgium and Argentina. Lewiston-Porter teacher Joshua Milanovich will return from a months-long teaching assignment in China on Sunday, and Chinese teacher Yang Yi taught Mandarin at Lewiston-Porter last year.

Principal Paul J. Casseri said last week that the focus on international studies is part of a broadened focus to prepare Lewiston-Porter students for life after high school.

“It’s becoming more important for our students to understand global connections,“ he said. “As educators we need to retool what we’re doing, even in high-performing districts like Lewiston-Porter, to prepare our students for the 21st century.”

Costs are still being calculated, but Casseri projected a cost of around $10,000, mostly for fees to the National Academy Foundation, textbooks and student field trips to Toronto, New York and Chicago to visit international businesses. No new staff will be hired. Teachers from the high school’s business department will teach all the classes.

It is expected about five classes will be transferable for three credit hours at Niagara University each, said Nicole Alonzo, director of the district’s academy. The curriculums for the college-level courses are still being developed with Niagara University.

Other high schools across Western New York offer programs through the National Academy Foundation. North Tonawanda High School has academies in finance and architecture and engineering.