Welcome to Clear Horizons ECHS!

Clear Horizons Early College High School was established in 2007 on the South Campus of San Jacinto College and has continuously earned TEA’s highest rating.  Students earn dual diplomas and graduate each year with an Associate Degree from San Jacinto College and a High School Diploma with Endorsements from Clear Creek ISD.

The early college high school program is a bold approach based on the principle that academic rigor, combined with the opportunity to save time and money, is a powerful motivator for students to work hard and meet serious intellectual challenges. Early College High Schools are designed so that low-income youth, first-generation college goers, English language learners, students of color, and other young people who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education can simultaneously earn a high school diploma and an Associate Degree that transfers as credit towards a Bachelor Degree.  Thanks to the generosity of San Jacinto College and the Clear Creek Education Foundation, this is accomplished at no cost to the student or family. 

The majority of the students at Clear Horizons meet one of the four target population criterion defined for Early College High Schools (ECHS) by the Texas Education Agency (TEA):  1) students are first generation college goers, 2) students are from minority groups traditionally underrepresented on college campuses, 3) students are economically disadvantaged, and/or 4) students meet one of the thirteen Texas at-risk indicators. Clear Horizons Early College High School is a Clear Creek ISD charter school that utilizes a computerized lottery for admitting the freshmen class.  As defined by TEA, an ECHS may only serve about 100 students per grade level.  

Eighth grade students in Clear Creek ISD may apply in January - February to participate in the lottery selection for 125 seats in the freshman class.  All coursework is taught in the honors format, either at the Pre-Advanced Placement, Advanced Placement, or College Dual Credit level.  In addition to regular degree coursework, service learning projects are required annually and internships are required in the junior and senior years.  Our school counselors play a critical role in helping students and families navigate the curricular cross-walk of two degree plans.  The comprehensive guidance plan they provide at Clear Horizons can be found here: Counseling & Guidance Plan.pub