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. In ECHS, students begin taking two college classes in ninth grade and progress by taking more college classes each year. By their senior year, most students are nearly finished with their high school requirements and are ready to focus on a full college schedule. Pasadena ISD ECHS is a school within a school model, which means that freshmen and sophomores take their college classes on the comprehensive high school campus, and juniors and seniors take classes at 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 ninth grade. Students may participate in extracurricular activities at their high school as long as they maintain their grades. Students may also join clubs and organizations at San Jacinto College. It is helpful if the students are currently taking Pre-Advanced Placement classes in intermediate school, but it is not necessary.

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 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 when they graduate. There are many layers of support provided by both Pasadena ISD and San Jacinto College. ECHS students face unique challenges during these four years and it is important that families support and encourage their students every step of the way.

ALL eighth grade students are eligible to apply. Students must submit the online application by the appropriate deadline. A committee will review the applications and then students are interviewed.  Students’ past performance will be examined, but academic, discipline, or attendance records will not be used to accept or deny students. Our goal is to enroll motivated and determined students that 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.