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HISD, HCC Break Ground on New East Early College High School

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An artist's rendering of the new East Early College High School facility as it will look after completion (top) and a view of the building currently under construction (bottom) as of March 11, 2009. Top image courtesy Gensler Architects.

The value of partnerships was the theme of the day for a ceremony held in Houston’s East End on March 11, 2009.

Representatives from the Houston Independent School District (HISD) and the Houston Community College (HCC) System joined local leaders and other members of the greater East End community at 301 N. Drennan Street (77003) that day to officially break ground on two new educational facilities: HISD’s new East Early College High School (EECHS) and HCC’s new Felix Fraga campus.

“This is truly a time to reflect on what happens when people come together to achieve things greater than on an individual basis,” said HCC Southeast Campus President Irene Porcarello, who served as co-emcee of the event with EECHS student Nayelli Saucedo. “This campus is about opportunities. It represents a new beginning for our community, so to all the people who helped this dream become a reality, we salute you and we thank you.”

“None of my family members have ever been to college,” added Saucedo, a junior who plans to study dermatology. “I want to be the first to break that cycle. This program is a helping me a lot. It gives you that extra push you need to succeed. By the end of this semester, I will have 48 hours (of college credit).”

Construction on the new East Early College High School is already under way, and when complete, it will serve approximately 400 students in a 45,000-square-foot facility that also houses 12 classrooms, four science labs, a computer lab, and a library. The two-year-old school is currently housed in HCC’s Eastside Annex (2524 Garland, 77087).

The adjacent HCC campus, which will have its own 45,000-square-foot facility and include a library, art studio, and recreation hall, will be named in honor of Felix Fraga, who has actively served his Second Ward community since the 1940s, including stints as an HISD trustee and a member of the Houston City Council.

Felix Fraga (center), a highly respected community leader for more than 60 years, is surrounded by students from East Early College High School during the official groundbreaking ceremony for the EECHS's new building and HCC's new Felix Fraga campus.

“This has got to be the happiest and proudest day of my life,” said Fraga. “I can’t imagine anything happening to anybody that could be greater than this. It’s wonderful. Thank you.”

Superintendent of Schools Abelardo Saavedra noted that HISD pioneered the concept of the early college high school in Texas, launching the state’s first such facility (Challenge Early College High School) in August of 2003. Under the guidance of Principal Joel Castro, the EECHS has earned the Texas Education Agency’s highest rating of “Exemplary” every year since it opened in 2006. The school was established with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

“The partnership between HISD and HCC has been in place for decades,” explained Dr. Saavedra. “And one of the results of that is today—the early college concept. This gives students the opportunity not only to earn a high-school diploma, but also to earn college hours. Many of (our students) will leave this campus with 60 hours of college credit, tuition free. And folks, that is halfway through their college career.”

The superintendent also extended special thanks to HISD Board of Education member Diana Dávila and her husband, Abel, who serves as chairman of the HCC Board of Trustees. Referring to them as a “tag team” who worked tirelessly as liaisons between the two organizations, he said, “I can tell you that these two facilities would not have been here in this location without these two people.”

“Congratulations to all who have worked to make our dream a reality,” added HCC Chancellor Mary Spangler. “These new facilities represent an opportunity for our community, our students, and our children. And this event reinforces the relevance and power of community, that each person can make a difference.”