Schools
Pasadena ISD Early College High Schools Holds First Ever Graduation Ceremony
For the students who also completed their associate's degrees, another graduation ceremony awaits them at San Jacinto College.
May 07, 2021
Pasadena ISD held its first ever Early College High School (ECHS) graduation celebration last week, honoring seniors from each of the district’s five ECHS programs.
Find out what's happening in Pasadenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
As students walked across the stage, they received their ECHS stoles and cords, a culmination of years of hard work showcased in front of parents, board members, educators districtwide, Superintendent of Schools Dr. DeeAnn Powell and the Mayor of Pasadena Jeff Wagner.
“The Class of 2021 endured Hurricane Harvey, a chemical plant fire, a global pandemic, and an extreme winter storm (taking all online college classes during those last two challenges). It is clear that they are a very resilient group of students for sure, AND, it speaks to the level of dedication and commitment that the Deans and Counselors of ECHS possess,” said Jennifer Boushley, Ed.D., Coordinator of Early College High Schools.
Find out what's happening in Pasadenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The ECHS program began in 2011 at Pasadena High School and expanded to each traditional high school in the district following the voter-approved 2014 school bond.
The first PHS ECHS (also known as PEHCS) graduated 23 seniors with their HS diplomas and associate degree, simultaneously, in 2015. In 2017, Pasadena ISD opened its doors to ECHS facilities at all five comprehensive high schools as a way of reaching hundreds of more students.
This year, Pasadena ISD’s ECHS senior class has expanded to 437 students and more than 400 of them are on track to receive their associate’s degrees at the end of the 2021 spring semester.
The ECHS graduating class of 2021 is one of the largest early college high school class in the State of Texas and one that has earned over 24,000 college hours.
In addition to the ECHS graduation ceremony, early college high school graduates will have another opportunity to participate in their regular high school graduation ceremonies the last week of May.
For the students who also completed their associate’s degrees, another graduation ceremony awaits them at San Jacinto College.
Congratulations Pasadena ISD ECHS Class of 2021 for making history!
1515 Cherrybrook Lane, Pasadena, Texas 77502 | Phone 713-740-0000
This press release was produced by the Pasadena ISD. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
