This fall the university welcomed a new group of students. High school freshman have been on campus since the beginning of the school year as a part of the Early College High School (ECHS) program sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The program was established to provide college-prep readiness skills for high school students. The university was approached with the proposition and accepted the offer to establish the program on campus in association with LISD.
The program’s goals are changing the structure of the high school years, compressing the number of years to finish a college degree, and removing financial and other barriers to college. During this four-year program, students will earn both a high school diploma and two years of college credit toward a bachelor’s degree.
“Education beyond high school is more critical today than ever before. A high school diploma and a college degree are absolutely essential for full participation in today’s economy. The Early College High School here on campus will help students realize their dreams and acquire a college degree in an accelerated manner,” stated Dr. Patricia Uribe, Early College High School principal.
ECHS will be admitting 100 students from four middle schools, Christian, Cigarroa, Lamar, and Memorial, for every year until 400 students are enrolled. Students must submit an application which requires an essay and records of attendance, discipline, grades and TAKS scores. A recommendation by a teacher and counselor was also required.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for students who have collegiate goals and who are decided on pursuing a professional career,” said Daniela Rodriguez, English instructor.
Students will have to complete accelerated classes from high school biology to college reading. Some of the courses will be counted as duel credit like health/physical education. After the first two years are completed, students will take college level courses. Students will be participating in extracurricular activities like dance, weightlifting, music and art.
Students will receive their diplomas after the program is completed and graduate under the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP).
“In my opinion, this is a great school…we’re more advanced…you have fun and get to meet new people,” said Arielle Garza, ECHS student.
LISD will be providing students with tuition, textbooks, and other college necessities. A bond issue will provide $3.3 million to the program for the building of a new facility and separate dormitories as well. When the students become juniors, they will be living in the new dorm rooms to “get the full college experience,” Uribe said.
Currently there are seven LISD teachers and one TAMIU instructor providing classes for the students. The staff includes a program director, school counselor, academic facilitator, and secretary. ECHS will seek university instructors to join the program next year.
Recruiting students late in the year may have been just one of the many obstacles the program faced, but Dr. Uribe feels that lessons learned during the program are for a lifetime.
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,” explained Uribe.