Institution South Texas College State Texas Academic Level Associate Issue Area Access Website https://www.southtexascollege.edu/dual/early-college-high-schools.html Key Personnel Antonio de la Cruz Program Focus Dual Degree/Dual Credit/Early College High School Overview In 2006, South Texas College partnered with Progreso Independent School District (a small rural district with a high school student population of approx. 300 students) to develop an Early College High School Program. South Texas College designed the Early College High School program to provide an environment that is conducive to learning where students become more engaged, inquisitive, and are able to advocate for themselves. Their objective is to provide students with a seamless transition to a four-year institution or a technical degree in a high skill, high demand career field. Program Description The Early College High Schools program is designed under a “small school model” where 100 to 125 9th grade students start the program every year. Teaching and learning in all courses are based on common instructional frameworks that emphasize collaborative learning, intensive writing, critical thinking, open discussion, “scaffolding”, and mastery learning. Early College High Schools specifically target populations of students that are potential first-generation college attendees from low socio-economic backgrounds. They provide a nurturing atmosphere for students that require extra support systems and accelerated programs to help them succeed. Ideally, the 9th and 10th-grade years of the Early College High School student experience are designed to prepare students for college-level coursework. In the 11th and 12th grade years, students are eligible to enroll in and complete dual enrollment/dual credit courses. Outcome There are approximately 6,000 students in the pipeline who successfully enrolled in college coursework. Of students enrolled in South Texas College 30 Early College High Schools, 98% are Hispanic, and 100% of them qualify for free or reduced lunch. There are an estimated 950 additional students that will graduate “core complete” or with a minimum of 12 college credit hours. Early College High Schools program has steadily increased the number of seniors graduating with associate degrees from 28 in 2011 to an estimated 530 in 2015. In total, 1,431 students have graduated with an associate degree during the last 5 years. Learn more about Latino College Completion in Texas Return to Growing What Works Database
