Dozens of representatives from ACC and AISD gathered for the retreat.

Stakeholders from ACC and AISD gathered at the college in late September to receive an update on the program, which began at Reagan and LBJ high schools in fall 2011. The retreat lineup included representatives from Educate Texas, a public-private initiative that works to positively impact schools and underserved students throughout the state, and attendees also heard voices of experience from El Paso. Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO, oversaw the implementation of several Early College High Schools during his tenure as president of El Paso Community College, and he invited students, faculty, and staff from those programs to share their knowledge with ACC and AISD.

“It’s so affirming and energizing to hear from students, faculty, and administrators who have been where we are today,” says Nereida Celis-Crayton, ACC’s program manager for Early College High School. “We are already off to a strong start with Reagan and LBJ, and the workshop gave us an opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback as we refine and grow our program.”

Nereida Celis-Crayton, ECHS program manager, presents data at the retreat.

A panel of three former El Paso ECHS students who are now seniors at the University of Texas at Austin provided great insight. The students earned their associate degrees before graduating from high school – and in their second year at UT-Austin, they are classified as seniors.

“The teachers and staff at Early College High School prepared us for what to expect in college,” said Lisa Garcia, who plans to go to pharmacy school after graduation. “I knew how to handle the college experience at that point. When I started UT, it was just like starting another year of college.”

Garcia and fellow Mission ECHS graduates Isaac Cervantes and Steven Salazar praised their faculty and staff’s commitment to go the extra mile and encouraged ACC faculty and staff to continue that approach while cultivating a sense of responsibility among students.

Dr. Armando Aguirre, far left, and Dr. Richard Rhodes, far right, with ECHS graduates from El Paso.

Dr. Armando Aguirre, associate provost at the University of Texas at El Paso who formerly served as principal of Mission ECHS, concurred.

“You must have a non-negotiable college-first mentality,” he counseled. “Treat the students as college students, not high school students. When you do that, the students will push themselves to meet those expectations.”

ACC and AISD are already seeing students, faculty, and staff rise to the challenge. Celis-Crayton, ACC’s ECHS program manager, presented information on the first year of ECHS at Reagan and LBJ. This fall, nearly 450 students at the two high schools are enrolled in ACC classes, and both campuses have increased participation across college-preparatory programs. Reagan established the Raider Enrichment Center, which includes volunteer and paid tutors, a full-time tutor coordinator, an ACC reference collection, and flexible hours for students. LBJ has adopted a paired-teaching model, in which high school teachers are assigned to ACC courses to provide support to ACC faculty, monitor student progress in college courses, and assist students with assignments on study hall days. It’s all part of the effort to change the mindset to embrace college achievement at the high school level.

Faculty and staff from El Paso Early College High Schools share their perspective.

“It’s not just about building a college-going culture – it’s about college-now,” said Edmund Oropez, AISD’s associate superintendent of high schools.

ECHS students must meet the same class requirements and are graded on the same standard as other college students.

“I’ve seen firsthand the impact ECHS has on students and a community, and we are working hard to foster that same sense of pride and accomplishment here in Austin,” said Dr. Rhodes. “Our early results are promising, and when we get together to share best practices and proven strategies for success, we are able to take great steps forward.”