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Early College High School

What is an Early College High School?

Early College High Schools (ECHS) are open-enrollment high schools that allow students least likely to attend college an opportunity to receive both a high school diploma and either an associate degree or at least 60 credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree. Early College High Schools:

  • Enroll Historically underserved students, targeting at-risk and economically disadvantaged 
  • Provide dual credit at no cost to students
  • Offer rigorous instruction and accelerated courses
  • Provide academic and social support services to help students succeed
  • Provide students with highly personalized attention
  • Increase college readiness
  • Partner with Texas institutions of higher education (IHEs) to reduce barriers to college access

The ECHS Blueprint Provides foundational principles and standards for innovative partnerships with colleges and universities. The ECHS Blueprint contains six benchmarks outlining the design elements that each ECHS campus must implement before serving students. Additionally, outcome-based measures in Access, Attainment, and Achievement provide guidance for ECHS program implementation and continuous improvement efforts. 

Northwest ISD's first ECHS will be at Steele Accelerated High School beginning with the 2021-2022 Freshman class. 

To learn more or request enrollment in the Early College High School, please CLICK HERE