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Accelerating Futures: TCISD's Early College High School program transforms the high school experience
Imagine graduating high school not just with a diploma, but also with an associate degree. For incoming freshmen at La Marque High School and Texas City High School, this dream is now a reality. Texas City ISD rolled out an ambitious Early College High School program for the 2023-24 school year, offering students a head start on their college journey while still in high school.
The ECHS program marks a significant step in bridging the gap between high school and college and fosters an environment where students can thrive academically and prepare for their future careers. It is designed with a strong support system to ensure student success and academic growth. In addition to the expanded ECHS program for incoming freshmen, TCISD also continues to offer the Collegiate High School program for students starting in 11th grade.
“ECHS students are grouped and travel as a cohort with dedicated ECHS core content teachers to support students in performing to their fullest potential,” Anne Anderson, executive director for curriculum and instruction, said. “ECHS administrators also meet frequently with students to monitor their progress and achievement and provide encouragement and intervention when needed.”
This structured support system helps students navigate the demanding dual curriculum of high school and college courses to ensure they stay on track and receive the necessary assistance to succeed. Jodi Douglas, ECHS assistant principal at La Marque High School, noted the sense of community among the students.
“When you walk into classrooms, you see students logged into college courses, taking notes, studying together and actively participating,” she said. “The ECHS students are a tight-knit group and rely on each other as well as their instructors for support and motivation.”
Alyssa Newman, an ECHS student at LMHS, said her cohort is like a family.
“We know each other, we talk to each other,” she said. “Everybody has each other’s back.”
With the wrap of the ECHS program’s first year, Anderson noted a number of successes. Seventy-three percent of the students earned three college credit hours by the end of the first semester. Eighteen percent of ECHS students have a 4.0 GPA in their college courses.
Bobby Temple, the ECHS assistant principal at TCHS, said with those successes came a few challenges as students made the transition from middle school to a dual high school-college curriculum.
“Students had to make adjustments to their overall work ethic because they are now focusing on high school classes, two dual credit courses and passing college entrance exams like the TSIA,” he said. “Overall, the students did a great job with adjusting to high school and college life.”
ECHS students said they are enthused about the program and committed to taking advantage of this unique opportunity.
“I thought this would be a great opportunity for me because I always try my best,” Newman said. “I thought that if I get an associate degree in addition to my high school diploma, it will take me a step further in an easier, quicker route.” Newman plans to pursue a career as a medical stenographer and believes that the head-start ECHS provides will be invaluable when she transitions to college.
Leonardo Alday, an ECHS student at Texas City High School, echoed similar sentiments.
“The counselors came in and recommended this program if you wanted to start ahead for your college career,” he said. “ I said yes because the career I want to pursue takes 8-10 years of schooling to complete so I wanted to start as far ahead as possible.” Alday aspires to become a veterinarian and said he appreciates the rigorous preparation that ECHS offers.
TCISD is focused on further enhancing the ECHS experience. One of the primary goals for the upcoming year is to launch a Parent University, which Anderson said is designed to engage parents in understanding and being able to support their child’s academic growth through their time as ECHS students.
“It aims to bridge the gap between home and school and ensure that parents are well-equipped to support their children’s educational journey,” she said.
Temple said professional development for teachers working with ECHS students is also a key focus to help teachers better prepare students for the challenges of dual credit coursework and college entrance exams.
“TCISD believes our purpose is to educate, challenge and inspire our students and ECHS aligns perfectly with this,” Anderson said. “Our students are educated with the highest standards, challenged to push beyond what they think they are capable of and inspired to dream big and reach their goals.”
