Why ECHS?

Early College High Schools provide students with a seamless pathway from high school to college. Students take college courses, along with their high school classes, which give them the opportunity to graduate with a high school diploma and an Associate Degree from San Jacinto College. As freshmen, students begin taking two college classes and progress by taking more college classes each year. By senior year, most students are nearly finished with their high school requirements and are ready to focus on a full college schedule.

Pasadena ISD implements a School Within a School (SWS) model, which means that 9th and 10th graders take their high school and college classes, taught by SJC professors, at their comprehensive high school campus. 11th and 12th graders take their remaining high school academic classes and college courses San Jacinto College.

Early College High Schools were originally established to help first generation college goers and other underrepresented students, who might not otherwise go to college, get a jump start on their college degree. ECHS is open to ALL students who are motivated and willing to commit to a four year program, which begins in the summer before 9th grade. Students may participate in extracurricular activities at their high school as long as their academic schedule permits and they maintain their grades. Students may also join clubs and organizations at San Jacinto College. It is helpful if students are currently taking Pre-Advanced Placement classes in intermediate school, but it is not necessary. About half of ECHS 9th graders have never taken an honors course before they joined ECHS!

Students need academic, social, and emotional support; however, we believe that with hard work and determination, every student is capable of success in ECHS. Our goals are to teach students the academic behaviors needed to be successful and to provide a strong social and emotional education, so they become confident and independent young people capable of pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree or beginning a career with their Associate Degree when they graduate.

There are many layers of support provided by both Pasadena ISD and San Jacinto College. Students take a course called AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) during all four years in ECHS. AVID is a learning system that begins with a focus on teaching organizational and study skills, as well as career exploration, in the 9th and 10th grade. The curriculum then evolves into a support system that aligns with students' academic goals and enhances the college work they are already doing. As 11th and 12th graders, students refine their college and career searches, work on degree planning, apply for scholarships, apply to four-year universities, and complete the FAFSA application for financial aid. San Jacinto College offers tutoring for college classes at the Student Success Center and all professors have office hours during which students are able to get individual assistance.

ECHS students face unique challenges during the four years and it is also important that families support and encourage their students every step of the way!

ALL eighth grade students are eligible to apply. The online application is typically open from October to January. Students must submit the online application by the deadline and follow additional steps to complete the enrollment process. Students’ past performance will be reviewed, but academic, discipline, or attendance records will not be used to accept or deny students. Our goal is to enroll motivated and determined students who are willing to work hard and take advantage of this incredible opportunity!

9th Grade

Students take a full year of PAP (Pre-Advanced Placement) core classes, AVID, one college course each semester*, and their choice of one elective/extracurricular activity each semester.

*Subject to change based on San Jacinto College degree requirements.

10th Grade

Students take a full year of PAP (Pre-Advanced Placement) core classes, AVID, a college course each semester, and their choice of one elective/extracurricular activity each semester.

• Important Note - Students need two credits of LOTE (Language Other Than English) and one credit of Physical Education for high school graduation, so they are encouraged to take these in 9th and 10th grade. Initial credit classes are available in the summer for students who plan to participate in Fine Arts, Athletics, or another extracurricular activity during their four years in ECHS.

11th Grade

Students take a full year of AVID and and a combination of high school and college courses depending on their TSIA status. They may also begin to take transfer pathway courses that align with their specific degree plan and university choice.

12th Grade

Students take their final year of AVID and finish up any remaining high school credits. Their class schedules consists mainly of college courses that fulfill the transfer pathway for their Associate Degree and university choice.