9th-grade students in the Southside Early College High School will take courses at the Pre-AP level in order to increase rigor and preparedness for college-level work. Students will also be enrolled in Path College Career to further equip them with skills to enhance success with Dual Credit coursework. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities.
Sample 9th Grade Class Schedule:
1. English I Pre-AP
2. Algebra I Pre-AP or Geometry Pre-AP
3. Biology Pre-AP
4. World Geography Pre-AP
5. Path College Career Fall/DC Spring
6. Spanish or Elective
7. PE, Athletics, Band, Cheer, ROTC
8. AVID I
Southside Early College High School:
- Is a 4-year program and requires a long-term commitment from the student and parent
- Provides a NO COST opportunity to earn college credit
- Is rigorous and requires dedication both in and outside of the classroom
- Requires active participation in class discussion and activities
- Requires the student to work cooperatively with teachers and other students on projects
- Requires students to be prepared for class by completing assigned reading and other homework prior to class
- Expects students to meet Attendance, Behavior, and Credit Requirements and demonstrate maturity and self-discipline
- Classes may not ALWAYS follow the Southside Calendar
COURSE ELIGIBILITY
Dual Credit course eligibility is determined by meeting the score requirements of the TSI test. TSI prep and testing will take place during Summer Bridge; remediation and re-testing will continue throughout the course of the school year. Students are considered college-ready when their TSI scores in the respective subject areas meet or exceed the scores below:
- ELAR 945
- Essay 5
- Math 950
As defined by TEA, “Early College High Schools (ECHS) are innovative high schools that allow students least likely to attend college an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and 60 college credit hours.”
Early College High Schools:
- provide dual credit at no cost to students
- offer rigorous instruction and accelerated courses
- provide academic and social support services to help students succeed
- increase college readiness, and reduce barriers to college access.
Students’ acceptance into the Early College High School will be considered once the following criteria are met:
- Be a 9th-grade student at Southside High School
- Submit the completed application by March 5th
- Agreement to participate in the ECHS Summer Bridge Selected students will receive a letter of acceptance by the beginning of April.
- The ECHS shall identify, recruit, and enroll subpopulations (in addition to those who are at risk as defined by PEIMS) that are historically underrepresented in college courses (e.g., first generation college goers, students of low socioeconomic status, African American, Hispanic, Native American.)