Early College High School

A National Model:  Early College High School

The Early College Program at CHEC is part of a national instructional model designed to inspire and motivate students to be the first in their families to graduate college early, with diverse college and career opportunities. The national initiative was originally funded by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

Beginning in the 9th grade through 12th grade, students participate in a combined high school and college experience with the goal of earning a high school diploma and Associate's degree or up to 60 transferrable college credits at the same time. 

Early College at CHEC

The Early College Program at Columbia Heights Educational Campus (formerly Bell Multicultural) serves young people who are underrepresented in postsecondary education, and helps to remove barriers to college access and success. Our students are English language learners, students with family obligations, students for whom the cost of college is prohibitive, and students who will be the first in their family to graduate from college. 

When is Early College? 

Year round, students participate in daily Early College seminars and tutorials at CHEC, and attend their college classes after the regular high school day.

What is the Early College Program at CHEC?

Students experience college for the first time by taking credit-bearing courses at no cost. They take highly transferrable courses like English Composition I, General College Math I, and First Year Seminar, and others, earning college credit while working toward a high school diploma. Students receive guidance and support through attending a daily Early College Seminar with the Early College Coordinator, meeting with college tutors, advisors, and professors, as needed.   

Who are our College Partners:

University of the District of Columbia and University of the District of Columbia Community College

CHEC Early College wants students who: 

• Want to earn college credit at no expense                     

• Are interested in exploring their college options

• Commit to prioritizing high school & college classes      

• Will show up every day                                                     

• Are willing to work hard                                    

Who is eligible to apply?

Students must meet the following requirements and maintain them throughout their high school career:  2.0+ GPA, a maximum of 3 unexcused absences and a general record of on-time arrival and good attendance, a maximum of 1 disciplinary referral and a good behavior record.                                                 

What are the benefits of Early College

• College is more accessible by bridging the transition between high school and college and shortening the path to college graduation

• Rigor, depth, and intensity of college-level course work in high school

• Early College students in spring 2012 reported more confidence, better time management, improved writing and communication skills, and overall optimism about college

• Tutoring and Academic Coaching sessions led by Georgetown University students and the Coordinator

• College visits

• Registration and Advising workshops

• Constant support and college/career counseling

• Annual progress review conference with student and family

• Student and parent seminars on financial aid, scholarships, summer options, etc.

• Progress meetings with teachers when needed

• Access to college campus library and other study resources

• Other workshop and events to promote college success and readiness

The History of CHEC’s Non-Profit Organization, MCIP

Founded in 1979 by Principal Maria Tukeva, the Multicultural Career Intern Program (MCIP) is a community based 401 (c) (3) non-profit organization that helps ensure CHEC middle and high school students have a rigorous college prep experience. Originally an alternative school program for English Language Learners, MCIP was combined with the vocational programs at Bell Multicultural High School, and maintains their mission today of providing research-based academic and enrichment programs that promote high student achievement.

Since 2004, MCIP has coordinated CHEC’s Early College Program. The Program has served 190 students who have taken college courses at the University of the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia Community College, including classes in Criminology, Business, Writing, Psychology, and Child Development. 

Thank You to the CHEC Faculty

We appreciate all that you do for all of our students, and we need your continued support and collaboration to strengthen CHEC’s college-going culture, in the middle and high school. Throughout the year, we are working to make sure every interested student has the opportunity to be part of our Early College Program and year-round college-related activities and workshops for students and parents. If you are interested in supporting the Early College programming or have ideas, let us know! 

To learn more, contact: 

Ms. Milagros Lopez-Elmore, Early College Coordinator                             

Phone:  202-939-7700       or EXT: 5017                        

Email: milagros.elmore@dc.gov 

Office: Bell Career center

To learn more, visit our Early College webpage at:  http://www.checdc.org/early_college.html 

Learn more about the Early College High School Initiative at: http://www.earlycolleges.org/overview.html