Why Early College High School?

students posing at ECHS new building

US News best high schools in nation

Most schools offer dual credit. We provide dual completion.

That's the ECHS difference.

Here you can earn a college degree and graduate with a high school diploma at the same time through our partnership with Tyler Junior College.

Instead of only receiving college credits, your child can earn 60 college hours to complete one of our degree plans.

student signing for college

Here's What You Get

You get $30,000 in value by enrolling, which includes:

certificate

FREE TJC Associate Degree

How many places can offer you free college without a scholarship?

book

FREE College Textbooks

No need to worry about loans for books. Your textbooks are fully included with your enrollment.

time

60 Hrs. Transferable College Credit

College credits that can easily transfer to a four-year university.

merge

More Than 100 Dual Credit Courses

We give you options when you join ECHS. Pick the courses you want or are interested in.

school

Attend Classes at TJC

Not only do you get to attend classes at ECHS, but you will also be transported to TJC to learn in a true college environment.

study

TSIA/ACT/SAT Prep

These tests are valuable when applying for scholarships and four-year universities, and we prepare you for them.

verified

All Classes are Pre-AP or AP

We only offer the highest academic courses which puts our students in the top 5% when it comes to AP test scores.

options

Numerous Degree Plans

We don't just offer general studies with generic classes. ECHS offers multiple degree plans to make sure you find your ideal future.

graduation

About Our Degree Plans

Our current degree plans can set you up for a job after high school or you can continue working toward your bachelors degree seamlessly. We continue to work with TJC to provide additional degree plans.

graduation student with a degree and diploma

What's the Catch?

All students must apply and interview to attend ECHS. Don't worry, it is not that hard!

student in classroom

What Our Parents, Teachers, & Students Think

There is no better way to get an inside look into ECHS than through those in it.

Kileigh

five stars

Early College will push your boundaries. Not only will you strive for greatness, but you will understand the true feeling of achievement. It's also like a tiny house. Itโ€™s small, filled with love, and has a solid foundation."

Kileigh S. ย 

ย ย  Student

Insert Name

five stars

Teaching at Early College has opened my eyes to different cultures, backgrounds, and how resilient our students truly can be when it comes to their educational pursuits."

Alex P. ย 

ย ย  Teacher

Kileigh

five stars

At ECHS you will be able to meet many different types of people, all with shining personality traits. Many people say that Early College is hard, which may be true, however, there is always a reward behind hard work."

Aric M. ย 

ย ย  Student

Ready for the next step?

We are excited that you are interested in joining Early College High School. We encourage families to schedule an in-person tour to see the great things happening on campus.

teacher teaching in classroom

Have Questions?

Our admissions team is here to help answer any questions you may have.

Call our campus at 903.262.1710 and ask for one of our staff below.

Amanda Hortman

Amanda Hortman

Principal

Have questions about what we offer?

Andy Haas

Andy Haas

Dean of Students

Have questions about academics?

Ashley Standifer

Ashley Standifer

Counselor

Have questions about class schedules?

Pamela Williams

Pamela Williams

Administrative Assistant

Have general questions?

Listen and Learn More About ECHS

Here is a podcast featuring our Principal which goes even more in depth about our school which you can listen to below!

hortman with student

Frequently Asked Questions

The ECHS Experience

Our focus matches our students. Academics is the #1 priority. The awesome part about that is your child will be surrounded by students with the same ambition and drive.

student in front of college pennants

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students posing at graduation

What About After ECHS?

Most students who graduate from ECHS know that they will continue their education beyond an associate's degree.

Did you know? ECHS students now have a direct pathway through our partnership with UT Tyler, where their college counselors work with our students one-on-one to make sure the courses and credits they take here will transfer directly to UT Tyler.

But Wait... There's Even More

There is also the Greater Texas Foundation (GTF) who partners with eight Texas universities to deliver the GTF Scholars Program.

This program is available to all ECHS graduates which gives them the opportunity to be awarded full-ride scholarships to those schools.

Schools Included in GTF Scholarship

Below are the schools that are partners with the Greater Texas Foundation.

ut tyler

University of Texas at Tyler

texas a & m

Texas A&M University

University of North Texas

University of North Texas

UTEP

University of Texas at El Paso

Texas A&M San Antonio

Texas A&M at San Antonio

University of Houston Downtown

University of Houston Downtown

UT Permian Basin

University of Texas Permian Basin

RGV

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

baylor student at TJC

Find Your Successful Student Outcome at ECHS

We wanted to make sure you had easy access to the links you need and provided them below:

Owls in the News

Read some of the recent articles where our current and former students have been highlighted.

student cancer news story

ECHS Student Inspires Effort to Help Local Children Battling Cancer

Current Early College High School (ECHS) sophomore student Aneesa Cedillo battled a rare type of cancer when she was only six years old.

graduation speech

Tyler ISD's Early College High Students Give Emotional Farewell at Graduation to Retiring Principal

"On behalf of all of your students here, we hope that with the confidence and the tools youโ€™ve given us to embark on each of our own expeditions, we make you proud,โ€ Bernal said.

ECHS student in classroom

#1 High School in ETX via TylerToday

When it comes to education, Tyler ISD's Early College High School (ECHS) is number one in East Texas. The secret is out, and ECHS, one of the four high schools in Tyler, has been named the #1 High School in East Texas by U.S. News & World Report.