Mission Early College High School Phoenix – Always Rising

1. Mission Early College High School Phoenix – Always Rising U.S. Department of Education 2012 National Blue Ribbon School Texas Education Agency (TEA) Exemplary HS 2006-2013

2. Accolades • MECHS is a National Blue Ribbon School for the year 2011-2012 • MECHS has achieved Exemplary status from TEA for the last six years. • MECHS has beaten its time frame for college graduation for its students by one year, with juniors graduating with an Associates Degree BEFORE they have earned their high school diploma.

3. MECHS Mission! Mission Early College High School is founded on the belief that many high school students are ready and eager to do serious college work. Through a partnership with the El Paso Community College (EPCC), the MECHS degree plan enables highly motivated students to accelerate in four years from the ninth grade through the first two years of college, earning an associate’s degree.

6. What makes MECHS special! • Smaller classes • Excellent comprehensive fine arts program • Student clubs, and organizations (compared to other ECHS) • Access to all EPCC facilities • Advanced academics • HS Diploma • Associates Degree • Opportunity to begin a 4 year degree • Facilitates the transition to higher education (academically and socially) • Saves time and money

7. MECHS Clubs and Organizations: Mock Trial National Honor Society National Technical Honor Society Persuasive Speech Principal's Student Advisory Committee Science Bowl Science Fair Science National Honor Society Speech and Debate Team Student Council Teen Court "The Phoenician Newspaper" UIL Competitive Teams Yearbook TBD… *Freshmen Class (2017) *Sophomore Class (2016) *Junior Class (2015) *Senior Class (2014) Academic Decathlon Accounting Club Business Professionals of America (BPA) Community Service Organization (CSO) Computer Club Dance Team - The Flames Environmental Club Intramurals Literary Anthology Mathletes

8. Associates Degree Disciplines Offered The Associate of Arts (AA) degree is transferable to four year colleges and universities and is endorsed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. All students will receive 42 ‘core’ hours. The final 18 elective hours can be taken in any of the following disciplines. • Art  • Business • Business Accounting • Chicana/Chicano Studies • Communication: Advertising, Journalism, Radio & Television • Computer Science   • Criminal Justice • Economics • Multidisciplinary Studies – Educator Preparation • English • Music • Philosophy • Psychology • Speech Communication   • Texas Symbol Courses • Theater • General Studies • Dance

9. Associates Degree Disciplines Offered (continued) The Associate of Arts (AA) degree is transferable to four year colleges and universities and is endorsed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. All students will receive 42 ‘core’ hours. The final 18 elective hours can be taken in any of the following disciplines. • Architecture • Engineering Industrial Engineering • Architecture • Biological Science: Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Veterinary • Biology • Chemistry • Engineering Civil, Electrical, Industrial, Materials, Mechanical • General Studies • Geological Sciences  • Kinesiology: Exercise, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-physical Therapy, Physical Education • Mathematics • Physics • Psychology

11. Freshman Year (Draft) Biology - BIOL 1406/BIOL 1407 –Dual Credit Biology Lab EDUC 1300-Dual Credit BIM I - Technology P/AP Algebra I/Geometry Spanish I, II or III P/AP World Geography P/AP English I EPCC Summer (Voluntary) College Course to fulfill Visual & Performing 3 Arts category Range of Total Hours Earned: 11-14

12. Sophomore Year (Draft) • Chemistry - CHEM 141/CHEM 1412 8*-Dual Credit • Fine Arts • Physical Ed/Health • Spanish II or III • P/AP World History • P/AP English II • P/AP Geometry/Algebra II • Pre-Calculus - MATH 1314/MATH 2412 7*-Dual Credit • Professional Communications - SPCH 1315 EPCC Summer (Voluntary) • Economics - ECON 2301 Range of Total Hours Earned: 3-21 *By Placement Exam

13. Junior Year (Draft) • P/AP Physics • English III - ENGL1301/ENGL 1302 Dual Credit • US History - HIST 1301/HIST 1302 Dual Credit • Government GOVT 2305/GOVT 2306 Dual Credit • P/AP Algebra 2 and/or High School Pre-Cal • Physical Ed • Spanish III - SPAN 2313 • College course toward Field of Study 3 EPCC Summer (Voluntary) • Range of Total Hours Earned: 12-30

14. Senior Year (Draft) • English IV ENGL 2322/ENGL 2323 Dual/Concurrent • P/AP Anat & Phys- BIOL 2401/BIOL 2402 or Dual • College course to complete AA Degree 3-9 • Total College Hours Earned: 60+

15. Student Profile • MECHS welcomes ALL students who embrace an academic challenge and express an interest in a non-traditional high school experience. • Mission Early College High School focuses on creating a smooth transition into post-secondary education. • MECHS is committed to substantially increasing the number of low-income students and first generation students who will pursue advanced studies. 75% (from 69%) of current students are on Free or Reduced Lunch. • Students do not have to be in the Gifted Program to participate.

16. MECHS Admissions All incoming high school ninth grade students are invited to apply who: …have a sincereinterest in academics …have very good work ethic and habits …reside in the Socorro ISD

17. MECHS Admissions (cont.) Students are accepted to MECHS based on: • Attendance (Met state compliance) • MECHS application packet • Campus Involvement Survey

18. MECHS Admissions (cont.) MECHS Student Information Nights: 6 – 7 PM in the MECHS Cafeteria. Attend by feeder pattern. • November 18, 2013 – Socorro HS • November 19, 2013 – Americas & Eastlake HS • December 2, 2014 – El Dorado HS • December 3, 2014 – Montwood HS The meeting is MANDATORY for applying students. The students must complete a written portion (personal narrative)for their application packet. Students must attend only one meeting. They may attend outside of their feeder pattern.

20. Always Rising www.sisd.net 915-937-1200