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Activities at ECA

Students CANNOT enroll in core academic courses at other high schools, but they are allowed to participate in after school activities at their “home” high school. Students must go through the APS Activities Clearinghouse at City Center to participate.  See Activities Director at ECA or the home school for paperwork.

Welcome to ECA

About ECA

Preparing for the future, one student at a time, Early College Academy connects students to high-skill/high-wage careers through dual enrollment in college courses. Dual Enrollment is the centerpiece strategy to improve college access and the successful transition of students from secondary to post-secondary education.


Student / Parent Expectations

As a college preparatory school, Early College Academy (ECA) knows that the parents/guardians, students, and school must have shared expectations.  The objective of the contracts listed below is to be clear about those expectations.  Click on the appropriate grade-level title to see the entire contract.

 

Parent/Guardian Commitment:

  1. I will teach my child the value of respecting self, others, and property.  I will also teach my child appropriate behavior and good manners.
  2. I will read the ECA & APS Student Handbooks and follow all ECA and APS policies.
  3. I will make sure my child is on time for school daily.  I will notify the school of absences due to illness, etc., and follow school policy for make-up work. Late work policy for 9th grade: 20% off earned grade for 1 day late; 40% off earned grade for 2 days late and 50% off earned grade for 3 days late; no work accepted after 3 days.
  4. I will ensure that my student has an appropriate working space for their 2-3 hours of homework each evening.  I will monitor my student’s progress weekly through ParentVUE in Synergy.
  5. I will read all the information that the school emails/sends home and contact the school when I have a question or concern.
  6. I understand ECA graduation requirements include that core classes are to be taken at ECA and that all incoming freshmen must complete a minimum of 16 dual credit hours over their four years at ECA.
  7. If recommended by the school, I will ensure that my student participates in Literacy Strategies and/or Math Strategies intervention classes.  Each class is 2 days/week from 2:00-3:00 p.m.
  8. I understand that all 9th graders are required to complete the dual credit Freshman Seminar course.
  9. I understand that a 70% or above is required for 9th grade students to receive credit for a class. Thus, any grade below a 70% will earn an F.
  10. I understand that if my student has an F in one or more classes, they will be placed on an Academic Contract for a minimum of 4-6 weeks.  This Academic Contract will be created in partnership with me and will contain expectations and strategies for student improvements.  I will work with my student to ensure that they follow all aspects of that contract.
  11. I will seek out school and community resources that support the well-being of my child.
  12. I will ensure that the school has current contact information including email, phone numbers, address, emergency contacts, etc.  
  13. I will participate in school-sponsored activities such as Student-led Conferences, Next Step Plans, Parent Night, Open House, etc.

Student Commitment:

  1. I will respect myself, others, and property at all times.  I will also exhibit appropriate behavior and good manners.
  2. I will read the ECA & APS Student Handbooks and follow all ECA and APS policies.
  3. I will take responsibility for my schoolwork and learning.
  4. I will attend school every day, be on time and prepared for classes. 
  5. I will follow school policy for make-up work. Late work policy for 9th grade: 20% off earned grade for 1 day late; 40% off earned grade for 2 days late and 50% off earned grade for 3 days late; no work accepted after 3 days.
  6. I will ask for help from my parents and teachers when needed.
  7. If recommended by the school, I will attend Literacy Strategies and/or Math Strategies intervention classes.  Each class is 2 days/week from 2:00-3:00 p.m.
  8. I understand that a 70% or above is required for me to receive credit for a class. Thus, any grade below a 70% will earn an F.
  9. If I have an F in one or more classes, I will be placed on an Academic Contract for a minimum of 4-6 weeks.  The Academic Contract will contain expectations and strategies to improve my academic achievement.  I will follow all aspects of this contract.
  10. I understand ECA graduation requirements include that core classes are to be taken at ECA and that as of the 2023-2024 school year all incoming freshmen must complete a minimum of 16 dual credit hours over their four years at ECA.
  11. I will follow the school’s Academic Integrity and Honor Code which includes, but is not limited to:
    • Students will submit only authentic and properly cited work;
    • Student will complete their own homework and assignments and not share their work with other students to be replicated or copied;
    • Students will not submit AI-generated work as their own;
    • Students will report academic misconduct; and,
    • Students will be disciplined according to policy for cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic misconduct.  This discipline may include being asked to leave the school

Teacher Commitment:

  1. I will always conduct myself in a courteous and professional manner.
  2. I will regularly post grades and communicate with students and families regarding academic achievement.
  3. I will provide a challenging curriculum with high standards and expectations in academics and behavior, which meets all students’ needs.
  4. I will communicate in a clear, respectful, and prompt manner.
  5. I will provide opportunities for family engagement.
  6. I will provide students with encouragement and opportunities to succeed.
  7. I will bring a growth mindset to professional development and professional learning communities.

Administrator Commitment:

  1. I will create communication that is timely, easily understood, informative, and convenient between school and home.
  2. I will create a welcoming atmosphere for students and families.
  3. I will involve families in the educational process.
  4. I will act as an instructional leader by supporting teachers in their classrooms.

Click here to download a PDF version:  9th Grade Early College Academy Contract 2023-2024 

 

Parent/Guardian Commitment:

  1. I will teach my child the value of respecting self, others, and property.  I will also teach my child appropriate behavior and good manners.
  2. I will read the ECA & APS Student Handbooks and follow all ECA and APS policies.
  3. I will make sure my child is on time for school daily.  I will notify the school of absences due to illness, etc., and follow school policy for make-up work.  Late work policy by grade level: 10th grade, 20% off earned grade for 1 day late, and 40% off earned grade for 2 days late; 11th & 12th grades: no late work.
  4. I will ensure that my student has an appropriate working space for their 2-3 hours of homework each evening.  I will monitor my student’s progress weekly through ParentVUE in Synergy.
  5. I will read all the information that the school emails/sends home and contact the school when I have a question or concern.
  6. I understand ECA graduation requirements include that core classes are to be taken at ECA and that as of the 2023-2024 school year all incoming freshmen must complete a minimum of 16 dual credit hours over their four years at ECA.
  7. If recommended by the school, I will ensure that my student participates in Literacy Strategies and/or Math Strategies intervention classes.  Each class is 2 days/week from 2:00-3:00 p.m.
  8. I understand that the 2023-2024 school year will be the final year in which students in grades 10th, 11th, and 12th will earn credit for a D.  As of the 2024-2025 school year, students will need to earn a grade of 70% or above in order to receive credit for a class. Thus, any grade below a 70% will earn an F.  ECA is transitioning to this new policy because it is consistent with our mission to prepare students for college.
  9. I understand that if my student has an F in one or more classes, they will be placed on an Academic Contract for a minimum of 4-6 weeks.  This Academic Contract will be created in partnership with me and will contain expectations and strategies for student improvements.  I will work with my student to ensure that they follow all aspects of that contract.
  10. I will seek out school and community resources that support the well-being of my child.
  11. I will ensure that the school has current contact information including email, phone numbers, address, emergency contacts, etc.  
  12. I will participate in school-sponsored activities such as Student-led Conferences, Next Step Plans, Parent Night, Open House, etc.

Student Commitment:

  1. I will respect myself, others, and property at all times.  I will also exhibit appropriate behavior and good manners.
  2. I will read the ECA & APS Student Handbooks and follow all ECA and APS policies.
  3. I will take responsibility for my schoolwork and learning.
  4. I will attend school every day, be on time and prepared for classes. 
  5. I will follow school policy for make-up work. Late work policy by grade level: 10th grade, 20% off earned grade for 1 day late, and 40% off earned grade for 2 days late; 11th & 12th grades: no late work.
  6. I will ask for help from my parents and teachers when needed.
  7. If recommended by the school, I will attend Literacy Strategies and/or Math Strategies intervention classes.  Each class is 2 days/week from 2:00-3:00 p.m.
  8. I understand that the 2023-2024 school year will be the final year in which students in grades 10th, 11th, and 12th will earn credit for a D.  As of the 2024-2025 school year, students will need to earn a grade of 70% or above in order to receive credit for a class. Thus, any grade below 70% will earn an F.  ECA is transitioning to this new policy because it is consistent with our mission to prepare students for college.
  9. If I have an F in one or more classes, I will be placed on an Academic Contract for a minimum of 4-6 weeks.  The Academic Contract will contain expectations and strategies to improve my academic achievement.  I will follow all aspects of this contract.
  10. I understand ECA graduation requirements include that core classes are to be taken at ECA and that as of the 2023-2024 school year all incoming freshmen must complete a minimum of 16 dual credit hours over their four years at ECA.
  11.  I will follow the school’s Academic Integrity and Honor Code which includes, but is not limited to:
    • Students will submit only authentic and properly cited work;
    • Student will complete their own homework and assignments and not share their work with other students to be replicated or copied;
    • Students will not submit AI-generated work as their own;
    • Students will report academic misconduct; and,
    • Students will be disciplined according to policy for cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic misconduct.  This discipline may include being asked to leave the school

Teacher Commitment:

  1. I will always conduct myself in a courteous and professional manner.
  2. I will regularly post grades and communicate with students and families regarding academic achievement.
  3. I will provide a challenging curriculum with high standards and expectations in academics and behavior, which meets all students’ needs.
  4. I will communicate in a clear, respectful, and prompt manner.
  5. I will provide opportunities for family engagement.
  6. I will provide students with encouragement and opportunities to succeed.
  7. I will bring a growth mindset to professional development and professional learning communities.

Administrator Commitment:

  1. I will create communication that is timely, easily understood, informative, and convenient between school and home.
  2. I will create a welcoming atmosphere for students and families.
  3. I will involve families in the educational process.
  4. I will act as an instructional leader by supporting teachers in their classrooms.

Click here to download a PDF version:  10th-12th Grade Early College Academy Contract 2023-2024 


 

ECA is NM'S Best HS!

The Early College Academy has been selected by the New Mexico Public Education Department as one of NM's BEST High Schools.  

What is NMBEST?

NMBEST or Bridging Effective practices and Schools Together is an expansive, modern digital resource library that bridges scientific research and proven practices for schools and districts to ensure smarter investment in decisions and interventions that promote student achievement.  This online digital clearinghouse provides easy to comprehend and usable guides to provide schools and school leaders the tools to help refine school practices or establish a turnaround effort in their schools to ensure success for all students.

Why was our school picked?

Early College Academy was part of an intricate and dedicated process to cull the best schools in New Mexico.  Blue Ribbon Schools, A schools, Reward Schools, and other indicators were chosen in PED's first sweep.  Schools were examined by demographics and longitudinal student achievement data.  As they conducted initial phone interviews, Early College Academy High School stood out amongst the rest.  Secondary interviews were conducted to further dive into our school’s practices and preliminarily match schools with our clearing house topics.  From schools interviewed and with this year’s school grades, NM BEST is moving forward to showcase our school and its practices to the entire state.

How does NM BEST plan on featuring our school?

They plan on showcasing our school in the following topics:

  • Maximizing Instructional time—High performing schools make every minute count.  This practice focuses on optimizing instructional time and minimizing non-instructional time to increase student achievement at the school and classroom levels. At ECA, this is a daily practice among teachers.
  • Response to Intervention (RtI)—The RtI framework is a continuum of school-wide decision making and support that seeks to maximize the odds of student success and contributes to overall comprehensive school improvement efforts.  This practice aims to provide schools effective use of core instruction and matching tailored interventions to individual needs.  At ECA, teachers strive to guide and assist students in achieving academic success.
  • Using Differentiation to Support All Learners—Effective differentiation starts with knowing students needs. This practice focuses on the use of data, ability grouping, monitoring student progress, and devising a cohesive school plan where all areas are in sync. At ECA, teachers mold instruction to maximize student success.