|  Jennifer Amis, APECHS Principal
and
Director of
Career and Technical Education
527-9540
The Early College High School, a regional project, will focus on increasing the area high school graduation rates, enhancing career and technical education opportunities, and ensuring that students graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the postsecondary education and the 21st century workplace.
The school will open July 2010 and will be housed at DACC main campus temporarily. The school's permanent location will be at Arrowhead Research Park on the NMSU campus.
The school colors are crimson (for NMSU), gold (for DACC) and black.
The mascot is the Trailblazers, at least in part because the school is the first early college high school in New Mexico.
Early College High School is being developed with a theme of entrepreneurship and with pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), offering a flexible schedule to facilitate each student’s individualized academic plan. Students’ classes will include academic studies in a blended learning environment with on-site and online courses, courses on college campuses, labs, and work-based learning experiences. Academic support and advising will be embedded into the student’s day to ensure he/she is on track with academic progress.
For example, see the Aerospace pathway.
The Early College High School will be located on the campus of New Mexico State University. The school will provide new and enhanced opportunities for up to 500 Doña Ana County teenagers. Approximately 125 students will be enrolled during the first year, with 125 additional each year until the maximum enrollment has been achieved.
 Students will experience an academic environment in a small, active learning community, which includes connections to learning opportunities outside the classroom through industry internships, online learning, and independent projects and participation in dual enrollment.
Students completing Early College High School will graduate with a high school diploma and up to two years of college credit, with the potential of earning an associate’s degree.
The student selection process will be multifaceted and based on the belief that all students represent the future of our community and nation. Targeting students who are underrepresented in higher education, the school’s population demographics will reflect both the cultural and academic diversity of the region.
Enrollment will be through an application process to be defined by a planning committee. Information sessions, public advertisements and announcements will precede the opening of the application process. A special effort will be made to promote the program in non-traditional settings to assure that traditionally underrepresented populations are informed and encouraged to participate.
 The ECHS project was initiated through the Regional Education Initiative (REI), now known as The Bridge. Community leaders from education, business, economic development, and government came together to address concerns regarding dropout rates and workforce adequacy. The need to help students transition from high school to the workforce or to higher education was identified. The Early College High School Steering Committee was formed and continues planning for a unique and exciting campus for high school students in Doña Ana County.
- Doña Ana Community College
- Gadsden Independent School District
- Hatch Valley Public Schools
- Las Cruces Public Schools
- New Mexico State University
- Regional Business & Industry Partners
- The Bridge
 Left to right back row: Emily Carmichael, Language Arts teacher; Stan Rounds, LCPS Superintendent; Tammy Miller-Dwake, Science; Jennifer Amis, Principal; Gloria Carrillo, Counselor; Tammy Brock, Math and CTE;
FRONT: Nina Nunez, Math and Engineering; Yoli Juarez, Office Manager
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