In 2008, McAllen ISD unveiled the Achieve Early College High School. These students are based on a college campus and, through dual enrollment, can actually graduate from high school with an Associate’s Degree.

 

The Early College High School concept blends high school and college in a rigorous program, compressing the time it takes to complete a high school diploma and the first two years of college. In short, it saves time and money.

 

In fact, the Achieve ECHS has 65 seniors on track to complete an Associate’s Degree in spring 2012. The courses of study include Associate’s of Science (Biology, Engineering, Pre-Pharmacy, Chemistry, Math & more) and Associate’s of Arts (Interdisciplinary, Criminal Justice, Business & more).
 

McAllen ISD offers the only Early College High School housed on South Texas College's main campus on Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. It is also the Valley’s only ECHS to be rated Exemplary on the State Accountability Rating System for three straight years.

 

Since 2002, the partner organizations of the Early College High School Initiative have started or redesigned more than 230 schools in 28 states and the District of Columbia.The schools are designed so that low-income youth, first-generation college goers, English language learners, students of color, and other young people underrepresented in higher education can simultaneously earn a high school diploma and an Associate’s degree or up to two years of credit toward a Bachelor’s degree—tuition free.