Early College High School (Costa Mesa, California)

The Early College High Schools Initiative

Early College High Schools compress the time it takes to complete a high school diploma and the first two years of college. They are small schools from which students graduate with not only a high school diploma but also an associate degree or up to two years of college credit toward a bachelor's degree.

By changing the structure of the high school years and compressing the number of years to achieve a college degree, Early College High Schools attempt to improve graduation rates and better prepare students for entry into high-skill careers.

The Early College High School Mission Statement

Early College High School, otherwise known as "ECHS", will genuinely engage a wide spectrum of students by offering a complete and rigorous curriculum, supported by technology, aligned to student interests and state standards. Flexible and innovative coursework with an applied learning focus will be provided in a challenging and supportive environment. Students will earn a high school diploma and many will earn an associate degree enabling them to pursue a career path or a four year college.

The History of N-MUSD/CCC Early College High School

Early College High School is a collaborative effort between the Newport-Mesa Unified School District and Coastline Community College. It is a public high school for grades 9 through 12 located at 2990 Mesa Verde Drive East in the Mesa Verde neighborhood of Costa Mesa, California, on the former site of Mesa Verde Elementary School. Previously ECHS was on the Back Bay/Monte Vista High School Campus.

Newport-Mesa Unified School District and Coastline Community College opened Early College High School in August 2006 under Principal Kathy Slawson. In August 2015, Dr. Dave Martinez was named as the school's second Principal. ECHS is an academic program intended to enable students to pursue post-secondary education at a community college, four-year college or university.

Students are offered not only the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and meet university entrance requirements, but they also take college courses for which they receive college units through concurrent enrollment.

ECHS has a maximum population of one hundred students per grade level, allowing for smaller class sizes, frequent opportunities for individual participation, and personalized attention from faculty and staff.

ECHS is a college preparatory educational program strategically designed to fulfill and exceed University of California “a-g” admission requirements. ECHS is the creation of a strong and influential college bound culture with high expectations for all students. Average class sizes of 25 or less provides a focus on personalization of instruction. A climate of high expectations and a strong academic culture prepares our graduates to be competitively eligible for admission to the University of California, California State University, and institutions of higher learning.

ECHS continually encourages and empowers students to develop a greater sense of confidence through project based learning and pride in their academic accomplishments. Project based curriculum includes engaging learning experiences that involve students in complex real world projects through which they develop and apply skills and knowledge. Students display their projects each year in a digital portfolio demonstrating what they know reflecting on their learning. Project based learning empowers students with the skills for success for today and tomorrow.

The Early College High School Expected School-Wide Learning Results

Complex Thinkers who:

• Complete projects using effective problem solving techniques and a variety of resources.
• Apply learned skills, complex problem-solving processes and critical thinking to new problems and real life scenarios.
• Use higher level thinking skills, processes, and competencies to develop and extend their learning beyond the formal academic setting.
• Analyze, integrate and synthesize multiple resources and perspectives to formulate a justifiable rationale within various contexts.

Effective Citizens who:

• Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures and engage in school, community and world affairs.
• Foster tolerance for individual differences and demonstrate skills in resolving conflicts through positive, non-violent alternative actions.
• Convey environmental awareness and responsibility.

Responsible, Self-Directed Learners who:

• Use effective goal setting strategies to determine priorities and meet educational, vocational, and personal goals and standards.
• Exhibit good study and work habits that include completed schoolwork, attendance, promptness, and effective time management to accomplish projects.
• Exhibit teamwork motivation and discipline. Accepting individual and group responsibility while working in a group setting on projects and assignments.

Collaborative Workers who:

• Use effective leadership and group skills to foster, develop, and maintain relations within a group to achieve mutually significant goals.
• Exhibit the confidence to lead a group and the flexibility to recognize and follow the leadership of others.

Effective Communicators who:

• Convey complex ideas and emotions through written, verbal and visual mediums.
• Receive, interpret and analyze ideas and messages from others.
• Use technology as a tool to enhance the communication of various ideas and points of view.

The Early College High School's Noteworthy Accomplishments

• State of California Honor Roll School (2016)
• US News Best High School – Silver Status (2016)
• Washington Post California Ranked School (2016)
• Gold Ribbon School (2015)
• California Distinguished School (2008)
• WASC Accredited through June 2018 (6-year term awarded in 2012)

References

• School web page
• http://www.earlycolleges.org/ Early College High School Initiative
• http://coastline.cccd.edu/ Coastline Community College
• http://www.nmusd.us/ Newport Mesa Unified School District

Coordinates: 33°40′50″N 117°55′40″W / 33.680615°N 117.927801°W / 33.680615; -117.927801