CORTLAND -- Police say an upstate New York social studies teacher is being charged with rape involving a 15-year-old female student.

Nicholas Thomas appeared in Cortland City Court Monday, charged with third-degree rape and two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He is free on $1,000 bail and due back in court June 18.

Police say the 26-year-old Thomas is a teacher at Cortland Junior-Senior High School. Thomas was arrested Saturday after police searched his classroom. Police say their investigation is continuing.