What is an early college high school? Early college high school at Eastside Memorial High School is a school within a school model designed so that students can earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree or up to two years of credit toward a bachelor’s degree. Early college high schools have the potential to improve high school graduation rates and better prepare all students for high-skill careers by engaging them in a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum and compressing the number of years needed to earn a college degree. (Source: Early College High School Initiative)
What type of associate degree could I earn? Through a partnership between Austin ISD and neighboring Austin Community College Eastview Campus you have the opportunity to earn an associate degree in liberal arts. You may earn up to 60 hours of college credit that, when transferred to a four-year institution, may be applied toward a bachelor’s degree.
Will I also earn a high school diploma? Yes. The college courses you take also count as high school credit and count toward the Distinguished Achievement Diploma.
Will I have two graduation ceremonies? Yes! If you earn 60 hours of college credit, you become eligible to walk the Austin Community College stage with other graduates from Austin ISD Early College High schools. A separate, traditional high school graduation ceremony hosted by Austin ISD will also be held upon completion of the traditional high school program.
Do I have to provide my own transportation to Austin Community College? No. District busses provide transportation to and from home campus to Austin Community College Eastview Campus.
Will my credits transfer to any university? Each university has its own set of transfer requirements, but credits will transfer to most Texas universities.
How many credits can I earn free of cost? You may earn up to 60 college credits at Austin Community College tuition-free during your four years at Eastside Memorial Early College High School. Additional credits may be earned at an in-district tuition rate.
Do I have to pay for my college textbooks? No. Austin ISD picks up that cost for all textbooks required for all courses.
Will I take all of my courses at Austin Community College Eastview Campus? No. Students take most of their courses at Eastside Memorial ECHS during their freshman and sophomore years. Students begin to take about half of their course load at Austin Community College during their junior and senior years.
What kinds of courses will I take at Austin Community College Eastview Campus? In the 9th and 10th grades, you will take basic courses that satisfy the requirement for electives, such as Spanish, speech, and theater. In the 11th and 12th grades, you can take core subject courses–English, social studies, and science. The very first class will always be at the high school campus taught by an ACC professor.
Do the Austin ISD and ACC calendars align?If not, which calendar does the school follow? To the greatest extent possible, the ECHS will follow the Austin ISD calendar. However, if ACC classes meet when Austin ISD does not, students will be expected to attend their ACC classes. Calendars will be worked out annually to address these issues.
Will I be treated like other Austin Community College students? Most definitely! Eastside ECHS students become traditional ACC students. ECHS students have access to the same resources as other college students, including the library, computer labs, and tutoring services.