Early College High School Model

Early College High Schools are small schools located primarily on community college or university campuses that blur the line between high school and college. The model targets students who are underrepresented in college—including first-generation college-goers, low-income students, and racial/ethnic minorities. Students take a college preparatory curriculum and begin taking college courses as early as 9th grade, with the goal of earning both a high school diploma and up to two years of transferable college credit (or an associate degree) by graduation. Most early colleges are five-year programs. The model emphasizes personalized support, rigorous instruction aligned with college-level thinking, explicit college admissions and financial aid guidance, and a college-going culture. Students are physically located on college campuses to directly experience the college environment while still in high school.