While High Island High School has offered our students the opportunity to enroll in dual credit college classes for the last six years, our district has an opportunity to begin expanding out dual credit offerings.

We have been awarded a grant that allows us to establish an Early College High School campus within our district. Furthermore, this grant allows our district to provide the location, personnel, computers, and connectivity for our participating students.

Starting in ninth grade, students who enroll in our Early College High School (ECHS) will earn simultaneously a high school diploma and 60 college course credit hours at no cost to them. This Associates Degree is transferable to other universities. This opportunity allows students to continue to further their education after high school graduation; thus reducing any barriers that might limit them in fulfilling their career aspirations by completing an advanced degree of study.

HISD has partnered with Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT). Through this partnership, ECHS students will be offered rigorous coursework, career planning, academic, and social support services. Our Students will take their dual credit courses online with support and advisement being offered in-person throughout the academic year. These courses will begin in the ninth grade.

The first cohort participating in our ECHS model will be the Class of 2026