The Early College High School Model

Early college high schools provide students with both high school and college experiences, with the goal of ensuring that students graduate with a high school diploma and two years of transferable college credit or an associate degree. These small schools, which are sometimes located on college campuses, are designed to provide all students with an academically rigorous course of study. Some early college high schools are structured as four-year schools, but most allow students five years to complete the curriculum.
Featured study. In this IES-funded study, Edmunds and colleagues (2017) examined the effects of early college high schools on college credits earned while in high school, high school graduation, college enrollment, and degree attainment. Students in the comparison condition were assigned to traditional high schools. Outcomes were assessed four, five, and six years after cohorts of 9th graders initially enrolled in early college high schools.
Study findings. Early college high schools were found to have a statistically significant positive impact on all primary outcomes except for high school graduation. This provides evidence that early college high schools can promote positive postsecondary outcomes.
WWC study rating. The study used a randomized controlled trial design and meets WWC standards without reservations. Access the full study review here, in the WWC’s review of individual studies database.