It was a momentous occasion for Early College High School (ECHS) students at Tyler Junior College (TJC), as 159 new students signed their commitment to join the number-one-rated high school in East Texas for the 2024-2025 school year. In partnership with TJC, ECHS students get a free associate degree along with their high school diploma.
The event saw new ECHS students from Tyler ISD schools and 16 other school districts or private schools in East Texas, including All Saints, Bishop TK Gorman, Brownsboro, Chapel Hill, Cumberland Academy, and Winona, to name a few. Students do not have to live in Tyler ISD boundaries to apply to ECHS.
Principal Amanda Hortman expressed her excitement about the event, highlighting its significance in the school’s journey toward academic excellence. “They deserve it for the hard choices they make when becoming Owls, to put academics first,” Hortman said. “I feel extremely blessed to be able to lead these new students in the year that ECHS moves into a new building that matches our students in greatness.”
The signing event served as a formal induction and provided new members with essential information about academic programs, support systems, and opportunities available at ECHS. From college placement testing information to the Summer Bridge program, where students go through a weeklong orientation, students were guided through various avenues for educational and personal growth.
Most importantly, students could register for their classes at TJC, a critical component of the Early College High School experience. Staff from TJC guided students through the registration process and answered questions from parents, many with first-generation college students.
The event emphasized the commitment of the new inductees to uphold the values and standards of ECHS by signing their commitment to the school for at least one year. Photo opportunities, interactive booths, and a Q&A session enriched the experience, allowing students to engage with faculty and peers.
