What is Early College?
ECHS is a unique opportunity for students to earn their AA degree from Solano Community College while working towards their high school diploma.
All students in the program will earn transferable college units, learn to navigate the college process, and gain college experience with the support needed to ensure success now and in the future.
Current Program
The FSUSD ECHS program is in its first year.
There are 52 students currently taking all of
their courses on the Solano Campus.
Students are taking 5 Core High School
Classes plus 1 College Course per Semester.
We will be adding 60 students a year until we
have approximately 240 students in the
program.
Background Began in 1974 at La Guardia Community College to address the high dropout rate in NYC high schools
Small schools where students enroll in high school and college classes
Graduate with both a diploma and an AA degree (or up to 60 transferable college credits)
More than 240 schools are part of the Early College High School Initiative across the country, and at least 33 others outside of the initiative
Success Rates 78 PERCENT of early college graduates earned at least some college credits, indicating that they gained concrete knowledge about what it takes to succeed in postsecondary education.
37 PERCENT of graduates at early college schools, opened four or more years, earned more than one year of college credits while in early college.
22 PERCENT of graduates at early college schools, opened four or more years, earned two years of college credit or an Associate’s degree.
Sources (2009): Early College High School Initiative Student Information System, Jobs for the Future, and National Center for Education Statistics
More Success Data
86
63
77
21
81
23
67
1 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
% Graduated % Enrolled in College by
the End of
High School
% Enrolled in College by 1
Year After
High School
% Earned a College
Degree
within 1 Year
of
Graduating
ECHS Students
Comparison Students
Note: Data from the AIR, Early College,
Early Success: Early College High School
Initiative Impact Study (2013)
Benefits to Students
Increased student motivation
Supported transition to college Academic and social
Reduced cost of going to college
Increased graduation rates
Smaller, rigorous, high-quality learning environments
Program Features
60 incoming freshmen district-wide
An extension of Rodriguez High School,
but open to the whole district
Located on the Solano Community College
Campus
An additional 60 freshmen will be selected
each year, culminating in a 9th-12th grade
program with a total enrollment of 240
students
Staff RHS Staff will be on the SCC campus during
high school instructional hours
RHS teachers will instruct ECHS students on the
SCC campus daily
An RHS counselor will work with ECHS
students, and will be available on the SCC
campus weekly
An RHS administrator will supervise the ECHS
program
Sample Schedule
Monday, Wednesday,
Friday Time Class
8:00-8:50am College Class or Academic Support
9:00-9:50am HS English
10:00-10:50am HS Math
11:00-11:50am LUNCH
12:00-12:50pm HS Science
1:00-1:50pm HS History
2:00-2:50pm College Class or Academic Support
Sample Schedule
Tuesday and Thursday
Time Class
7:00-7:50 P.E. (9th grade Tuesday/ 10th Grade Thursday)
8:00-9:15 HS English
9:20-10:35am HS Math
10:40-11:55am HS Science
11:55-12:25pm LUNCH
12:30-1:45pm HS History
2:00-2:50pm College Class or Academic Support
Sample Four-Year Plan 9th Grade 10
th Grade 11
th Grade Summer 12th Grade
5 High School
Classes & 1
College Course
Each Semester
5 High School
Classes & 2
College Courses
Each Semester
2-4 High School
Classes & ___
College Courses
(10 units per
semester)
1 College Course
(3 college units)
2-4 High School
Classes & ___
College Courses
(10 units per
semester)
High School
English
Math
Science
Social Science
PE (Independent
Study)
Academic
Support
College
VPA/CTE
Elective
Foreign Language
High School
English
Math
Science
Social Science
PE (Independent
Study)
Academic
Support
College
VPA/CTE
Elective
Foreign Language
High School
TBD
Academic
Support
College
VPA/CTE
Elective
Course from
Major Area
TBD High School
TBD
Academic
Support
College
VPA/CTE
Elective
Course from
Major Area
College Courses Depends on availability and student
interest
General Elective Credits
Foreign Language credits
Some offered at night
Some become full or get canceled
Geared toward a college/adult audience
Require students to be self-advocates
Extra Curricular Activities
Many of our students still participate in
Sports
Some activities are not available to our ECHS
students: high school band, leadership
Students can join clubs at Solano
Looking to create a Leadership group at
Solano
Many students still participate in rallies at
Rod and attend the different events
Student Minimum
Requirements
Grade Point Average at or above a 2.5
Pattern of consistent attendance
Pattern of responsible behavior
Ability to access technology (including
internet) during non-school hours
Recommendation from teachers
Selection Process
Must meet minimum requirements
Application and Interview Process Review of academic, attendance, and behavior records
Student assurances
Parent agreement
Student essay
Student work samples
Student interview
Lottery system if needed (including waiting list)