Fifteen-year-old, Alondra Uribe has already earned 21 college credits toward her associate’s degree in natural science at Lee College with a 4.0 GPA. She, along with 191 freshmen and sophomore students, is working toward an associate’s degree and a high school diploma simultaneously at IMPACT Early College High School at Lee College.
College tuitions are soaring at a pace well ahead of inflation, and for a lot of parents this makes the prospect of paying for their children’s college education almost impossible.
For Goose Creek CISD students who want to shave off up to two years off college – and potentially earn an associate’s degree for free (textbooks included), IMPACT Early College High School at Lee College can be a big help.
High school sophomore Alondra Uribe is taking IMPACT classes and is already well into her college career.
Though just 15-year-old, Alondra has already earned 21 college credits toward her associate’s degree in natural science at Lee College with a 4.0 GPA.
That makes her nearly a sophomore in college too.
Alondra, who works after school at Dairy Queen, aims to be the first person in her family to graduate from college and hopes to be a role model for her younger brothers and sisters.
Alondra moved to Highlands from California during fifth grade where she attended Highlands Elementary then Highlands Junior School. She moved back and forth between Texas and California during junior school before finally settling in Baytown during eighth grade.
Alondra, along with 191 freshmen and sophomore students, is working toward an associate’s degree and a high school diploma simultaneously at IMPACT Early College High School at Lee College. After completing her associate degree, Alondra plans to attend Sam Houston State University to pursue a degree in forensic science then on to Baylor University for law school.
The early college high school is a bold approach based on the principle that academic rigor, combined with the opportunity to save time and money, is a powerful motivator for students to work hard and meet serious intellectual challenges.
In addition to IMPACT ECHS at Lee College, there are more than 40 early college high schools in Texas.
Early College High Schools are designed to target low-income youth, first-generation college goers, and English language learners, those ethnically underserved in higher education.
IMPACT Early College High School admits all of its students through a college-like application process that includes essays and a personal interview.
To attend IMPACT, students must be prepared to give up sports and most extracurricular activities, commit to an entirely college-focused course of study and begin taking college courses immediately at Lee College.
IMPACT ECHS at Lee College allows Goose Creek CISD students to gradually integrate into college course work through his or her traditional high school degree plan. According to the state’s Early College High School design, each grade level is limited to about 100 students.
Beginning Feb. 27, IMPACT ECHS at Lee College will begin accepting applications for incoming ninth grade students.
Between Feb. 27 and March 6, representatives from IMPACT ECHS will be visiting all five junior schools to talk with students and pass out applications. To apply for a place in the 2012-2013-freshman class at IMPACT Early College High School at Lee College, students must currently be an eighth-grader and must live in the Goose Creek CISD school zone. Applications will be posted on the Goose Creek CISD website. An informational meeting for prospective parents and interested community members is scheduled for Feb. 27 at Baytown Junior School beginning at 7 p.m. Another meeting for parents and interested community members is set for April 3 at Horace Mann Junior School beginning at 7 p.m.
The deadline to apply to attend IMPACT ECHS at Lee College is April 6.
Impact 2012 Application
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