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Mission Early College High School

Early College Initiative and Outcomes

• Created in 1998 with funding from private foundations (Bill and Melinda Gates, Carnegie, Ford, Dell, and Walton Foundations + others)
• Goal – make tuition-free post-secondary education possible for underrepresented students in higher education
• Participating students are more significantly likely to
• Enroll in college
• Complete an associate’s degree or certificate
• Complete a bachelor’s degree sooner
• Results are similar across student demographics

Source: Early College, Continued Success: Longer-Term Impact of Early College Schools https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19345747.2020.1862374

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What is Mission Early College High School?

• Innovative high school partnership in SCUSD on MC campus
• College immersion program
• SCUSD students enter in grades 9, 10 or 11 (as space allows)
• Students take up to 15 college units each semester – *FREE (no tuition or book costs)
• College courses give dual credits toward diploma and college degree
• Students receive diploma
• Students complete university admission requirements (A-G)
• Students earn transferable college credit with possible AA/S degree

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How It Works…

• Students have reduced high school schedule
• Enrolled in three high school classes (A.M.)
• Enrolled in college classes in the afternoon (P.M.)
• Required high school classes include
• English
• History
• College and Career planning
• High School level math as needed
• College classes chosen based on high school graduation requirements and completion of A-G. Specific degree coursework completion encouraged after high school requirements are met.

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What Are the Benefits of MECHS vs Dual Enrollment in Traditional High Schools?

• Shortened high school day
• College immersion program / seamless transition to four year college
• College classes count for high school graduation requirements and are placed on transcript
• Can take more transferable courses towards degree (up to 15 units)
• Significantly reduces the cost and time to complete four-year degree requirements
• Small school learning environment
• College classes are weighted and give higher grade bump

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What Are the Benefits of MECHS vs AP in Traditional High Schools?

• Students earn transferable college credit to UC/CSU/Private Univ.
• AP courses are transferable only at university’s discretion
• Students complete actual college coursework taught by college professors
• AP is a high school course, not degree bearing
• College credit is guaranteed with a passing grade
• AP requires students to pass the AP Exam with a score of 3 or higher to be considered eligible for college credit. Score does not guarantee college credit unless accepted by college.
• Students receive weighted credits for college degree course work
• AP receives standard high school credits
• Both college and AP classes receive grade bump (5 point scale)

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^{Sample Schedule}

^{(Fall Semester – 9th Grade)}

^{Sample Schedule}

^{(Spring Semester – 9th Grade)}

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College Unit Conversion

MECHS Student Services

• Support Programs
• Summer bridge
• Tutoring
• Academic Success Center
• Phoenix advisory
• Wellness
• PTSA

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• Student Activities
• Student Government
• Class Councils
• Clubs
• Community Service Opportunities
• Mission College events/clubs

Mission College Student Services

• Student Activities (ASG and Clubs)

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• College Counseling Services

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• Career Services Center

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• Academic Support Center (tutoring)

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• Umoja Community

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• Puente

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Mission College Programs

• Degrees, Certificates
• Art & Design
• Business & Hospitality
• Language & Liberal Arts
• Exploratory & General Studies
• Health Science
• Nursing Program Partnership
• Public Service & Social Science
• Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)

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