CTE Early College stands for Career and Technical Education Early College High School. As a student in a CTE Early College program, you will have the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and an Industry Certificate, in addition to a High School Diploma. As a result, you will be able to:
Start college at a four-year university already having completed two years in high school, thereby earning a four-year degree in less time than your peers. In doing so you can eliminate thousands of dollars in college tuition costs.
Enter the job market with a work-ready skill upon completion of high school.
At Dallas College Eastfield Campus, CTE Early College High School at H. Grady Spruce, you can pursue Industry Certificates in one of four pathways:
Advanced Manufacturing/Mechatronics Technology
Mechatronics is an engineering field that integrates mechanical energy with electronic and intelligent computer control. This pathway will prepare you for a career as an Engineering Technician, Electrical and Electronics Repairer, Industrial Machinery Mechanic, and many other related professions!
Degree Plan: AAS Advanced Manufacturing/Mechatronics Technology
Certificate(s): Level 1 Advanced Manufacturing/Mechatronics & Level 1 Electronics
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology (HVAC)
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. This pathway will prepare you to manage and/or control temperature, humidity, and total air quality in all types of buildings. As an HVAC Technician, Sales Representative, Maintenance or Installer, you will be equipped for a rapidly growing, specialized field!
Degree Plan: AAS Residential Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology
Certificate(s): Level 1 Residential Technician, Level 2 Residential Technician
Computer-Aided Drafting and Design
Computer-Aided Design, or CAD, allows you to specialize in many different types of design software and technologies. These include AutoCAD, AutoDesk, Solidworks, Printers, Plotters, and many more. This pathway will prepare you for a career in Architecture, Civil or Electrical Engineering, Construction, Design Automation, and many other related professions!
Degree Plan: AAS Computer Aided Design and Drafting
Certificate(s): Level 1 CADD Operator, Level 2 CADD Operator
Digital Multimedia Technology
Do you have a creative eye for design? Do you enjoy photography and the arts? Our Digital Multimedia pathway will allow you to specialize in computer software like Adobe PhotoShop, Illustrator, InDesign, among others, and prepare you for a career in Graphic Design, Video Editing, Web Design, Photography, and many other related professions!
Degree Plan: AAS Digital Media
Certificate(s): Level 1 Digital Media
Through Career Institutes, you have the option of pursuing Industry Certificates without the Associate of Applied Sciences. Click here to learn more.
9th and 10th grade Early College High School students are located at Spruce High School. Dual Credit courses for students in the Digital Multimedia Technology pathway will begin spring of your 9th grade year. Students in the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology pathway will travel to Eastfield Campus for Dual Credit courses during the fall of your 10th grade year. 11th and 12th grade Early College High School students will be on the Dallas College Eastfield Campus.
To learn more about Dallas College Eastfield Campus, CTE Early College High School at H. Grady Spruce, please click here.
Students in this program are looking to enter the workplace or a 4-year university upon graduation. As a result, CTE Early College High School requires a high level of determination and hard work. Admission to the program is based off of your drive and desire to be a part of this unique and rigorous experiences - we do not have test scores, grades, or teacher recommendation letters as part of our requirements.
Dallas ISD will begin accepting applications on November 1, 2020 for the 2021-22 school year. Eighth grade students who will be high school freshmen Fall 2021 may complete and submit an online application. The deadline to submit an application is January 31, 2021, and following an interview process, those who are accepted will be notified on March 1, 2021.
As part of the application, you will be asked to select your top five choices among the district's P-TECH, Early College High School (ECHS), and Collegiate Academy programs. To learn more about these options, please click here.
If you have questions, visit our FAQ page or reach out to:
Mr. Alan Varney, ECHS Administrator, H. Grady Spruce High School | avarney@dallasisd.org
Ms. Quetza Barrera, ECHS Clerk | qbarreralanda@dallasisd.org
Ms. Rachel Burleson, ECHS Coordinator | rburleson@dallasisd.org