Spring ISD Relocating Early College Academy To LSC-North Harris

From Spring ISD

HOUSTON – The Spring Independent School District and Lone Star College-North Harris have announced a new partnership that will relocate Spring Early College Academy onto the community college campus on W.W. Thorne Drive.

The move will take effect for the 2019-20 school year, giving the more than 400 Spring ISD students enrolled in the Early College the opportunity to take all of their high school classes on the college campus.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to join with Lone Star College-North Harris to bring this tremendous opportunity to our Spring Early College students,” said Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Rodney Watson. “We already had a partnership that allowed our students to take classes on the campus during their junior and senior years. Now, by moving our school onto the North Harris campus, our students will be able to benefit from this college experience from the start.”

The new location for Spring Early College Academy is another boon to one of the Houston region’s best high schools, offering students the opportunity to graduate with an associate degree while earning a high school diploma.

Last spring, it was ranked 7th in the region among the top 10 high schools in the area according to Children at Risk, and number 33 in the state.

The non-profit education advocacy group releases its list at the end of each school year, using a variety of metrics to measure school performance, including student achievement, graduation rates and SAT/ACT participation, while factoring in the percentage of economically disadvantaged students.

Dr. Gerald Napoles, president of LSC-North Harris, said bringing Spring Early College Academy onto the campus makes sense, since there is considerable collaboration already between the school district and college.

Specifically, the Early College will be occupying a vacant portion of the college’s administrative area. While some of the classes will take place in that area, Spring ISD students and teachers will share spaces with the college’s professors and students.

"We are excited about this collaboration to bring the Spring Early College Academy to Lone Star College-North Harris," Napoles said. “Our partnership is key in ensuring these students are supported and have a strong pathway to completing both their high school diploma and college degree. It is a rigorous program, and having them fully immersed in the college culture will give them the opportunity to enjoy the high school and college experiences.”

Spring Early College Academy Principal Diana Kimberly said the move would only enhance the school’s program.

“This will be a big transition for our students and staff, but in the coming weeks, we will be working with LSC-North Harris to figure out all the logistical pieces to make sure we have a smooth move this summer.”

News of the move comes as Spring Early College Academy prepares to open its application window for its incoming ninth-graders. The specialty high school, currently located at 14450 T.C. Jester, will accept applications from current Spring ISD eighth graders Dec. 3 through Jan. 18.

Parents who are interested in learning more about the school are invited to attend parent information meetings Saturday, Nov. 10 at Lone Star College-North Harris Conference Center, located in the Academic Building, during the following times:

• 9:30 to 11 a.m. - Bailey, Twin Creeks, Dueitt and Roberson middle schools
• 1 to 2:30 p.m. - Wells, Claughton and Bammel middle schools

Although parents are encouraged to attend the meeting assigned to their child’s middle school, they may attend the meeting that is most convenient for their schedule.

Kimberly said the sessions will offer parents the opportunity to ask questions and to see firsthand the beautiful Lone Star College-North Harris campus.

“We are so fortunate to have this partnership with Lone Star College,” she said. “The facilities are first-rate, and the faculty here is dedicated and committed to every student’s success. We can’t wait for the new school year because it’s really going to open doors.”

For more information about admission, click here.

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Image: Spring ISD: Spring Early College Academy students get the full college experience on the Lone Star College-North Harris campus.

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