Early College High School (ECHS)

Communities Foundation of Texas

Gates Foundation

Background

By changing the structure of the high school years and compressing the number of years to attain a college degree, The Early College High School Initiative has the potential to save dollars for families and taxpayers to better prepare students for entry into highly skilled careers. The importance of this effort to assist students achieve at high levels may be observed in the financial and academic support of each participating partner to ensure the needs of all students are met.

Overview

The Early College High School Initiative focuses on creating a more personalized high school environment where students individual needs may be uniquely addressed within a rigorous and challenging academic program. The program will target those students that may lack the academic foundation needed to meet high school standards, students who are ranked outside of the Top 10% of their 8th grade class; students for whom the cost of college is a hardship, students who are traditionally underserved and under-represented, and young people who must balance school, work and family obligations.

Purpose

Early College High School is a learning community composed of:

·          A selective group of faculty in the core academic areas; (Math, English, Science, Social Studies)

·          A selective support staff to ensure the needs of all ECHS student participants are met; and

·          A cohort of approximately 100 students who will transition into each grade level in high school until graduation.

·          ECHS students will be enrolled in a rigorous academic curriculum leading to the attainment of the Distinguished Achievement Diploma upon high school graduation (Pre-AP & AP);

·          ECHS students will have the opportunity to earn dual credits (both high school & college) prior to graduation;

Additionally, ECHS students will have the opportunity to complete up to (60) hours of college course work, including the required Texas public university core academic curriculum at the completion of the ECHS program;

Benefits

• Make higher education accessible, affordable, and attractive by creating a safe, supportive, and successful academic environment;
   
•   Accelerate and challenge the students to achieve at a higher level of learning to facilitate and ensure a smooth transition from high school to college;
   
• Students have the opportunity to earn a college degree in a shorter time frame as a result of their participation in this program;
  
   
• Provide needed guidance and support from high school and university personnel throughout the student’s academic career by establishing positive and nurturing relationships, social interactions (on & off campus programs), and academic support programs (tutoring, mentoring, supplemental instruction, leadership training) (High School through the University);
   
• Demonstrate new ways of integrating levels of schooling to better serve the intellectual and developmental needs of young people.

Program Expectations

· All ECHS participants will be required to take an SAT or ACT college entrance examination prior to enrollment in any college course work at UTSA;
· All ECHS students will be required to officially apply for admission to UTSA in order to receive all benefits and services as an enrolled student at the university;
· All ECHS participants will be required to attend a two-week summer academy which will take place prior to their 9th and 10th grade academic years;
· All ECHS students will be required to take selected college course work during the Fall, Spring and Summer academic semesters (Summer semesters will occur after the student successfully completes their 10th, 11th and 12th grade requirements);


Student Expectations

· Failure is not an option. All students will succeed. This is a joint effort among all involved (Students, Parents, School personnel and University personnel). We are all in this TOGETHER!!!
· All ECHS students will be required to attend supplemental instruction to ensure their academic success (School sponsored tutoring, UTSA Saturday Academies, etc.)
· All ECHS students will be required to maintain a 90% attendance rate or higher (HS campus attendance, University attendance, special programs);
· All ECHS students will be expected to comply with all campus, district and university policies, procedures, guidelines and rules. Non-compliance can lead to dismissal from the program.


Parent Expectations

· All ECHS parents will be encouraged to attend monthly ECHS meetings, trainings and sessions.
· All ECHS parents will be expected to support, and monitor the academic and behavioral progress of their student; (Including attendance of campus, district and/or university parent conferences)
· All ECHS parents will be expected to ensure their student is in compliance of the necessary requirements for high school graduation and the ECHS program; (Attendance, Discipline, Courses)


Application Process

· Students must submit and complete an ECHS application which includes the following:
· A personal statement/essay
· Teacher Letter of Recommendation
· The application must be submitted by the designated deadline for your campus to the proper campus personnel. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered as part of the selection process.


Selection Process

· Students will be selected by a review committee composed of ECHS personnel;
· Those students that have been selected will be notified by April 15, 2005.
· Those students selected into the ECHS program will have to notify their campus administrator of their participation and commitment in the program by May 1, 2005.
· Summer Academy: June 6-June 17, 2005 8a-4p