Hard work pays off for Early College High School grads

For many of the 67 Early College High School (ECHS) students receiving their diplomas this summer, graduating from high school once seemed uncertain.

Many had struggled in a conventional high school setting before ECHS, part of the Springfield Academy for Excellence (SAFE) network, gave them another chance. It was a chance they didn’t squander.

In addition to a high school diploma, they are graduating with approximately 130 college credits, a minimum B average, and fall college acceptances for more than 91% of the class. With an impressive 96% graduation rate, ECHS is clearly doing something right.

“At my former high school, I felt like they wanted us to sit down and shut up,” said graduate Myles Postell-Reynolds. “At ECHS, they believe that speaking is essential to learning. It went from ‘shut up’ to ‘speak up.’ The rule is: There are no stupid questions.”

Such encouragement, along with small classes, tutoring, coursework in career development, and access to HCC resources, all contribute to student success. But the opportunity to attend school in a college setting, while earning college credit, is also a big motivation.

“For the right student, it’s a tremendous opportunity,” said Susan Gallagher, ECHS assistant principal.  “They will graduate with a high school diploma and approximately 130 college credits.”

In a tough economy, graduating with transferable college credit gives these students a leg up, but it’s an advantage they earn.

“Most students have to take two buses—it takes some of them almost an hour to get here,” observed Gallagher. Students are expected to work hard and live up to the school’s ethical code. Weekly meetings emphasize a spirit of community and responsibility. In addition to a demanding high school curriculum, students must also adapt to the rigors of college-level coursework.

“It was scary and exciting,” Postell-Reynolds said, recalling his first college classes, taken during his second year at ECHS. “I took psychology and political science. The teachers were great—they really got us interested in learning, and that interest was so motivating. And when I needed it, there was always help at the Center for Academic Program Support.”

Of the 67 ECHS graduates, 61 are headed to college this fall.  Postell-Reynolds will be attending Morehouse College, the prestigious alma mater of Martin Luther King, Jr.  .  “I can’t wait to start college—it’s the only thing I think about!” he confessed. Despite uncertain beginnings, for the ECHS Class of 2009, an unconventional education has yielded unqualified success.

About Early College High School

A collaboration between HCC, Springfield Public Schools, and Diploma Plus, ECHS welcomes 11th and 12th grade students with a range of academic abilities, though all must read at a minimum 7th grade level and be highly motivated. Students generally enroll on the recommendation of a high school counselor or parents can self refer. Each student receives PVTA bus passes as well as breakfast and lunch.  The school day runs 9:15 a.m.-3:45 p.m. ECHS follows the Springfield Public School calendar. For information visit the Springfield Public Schools website, or contact Assistant Principal Susan M. Gallagher.

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