Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Early College topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Galena Park ISD Early College High School marks 10 years, highlights dual-credit and CTE success
Summary
Teachers, administrators and students at Galena Park ISD’s Early College High School celebrated the campus’ 10th anniversary and outlined program offerings including dual enrollment with San Jacinto College, career-technical training, and efforts to raise TSIA pass rates.
Galena Park Independent School District’s Early College High School marked its 10th anniversary as teachers, administrators and students described career-technical pathways and dual-enrollment opportunities that let students earn college credits or certificates while in high school.
The milestone matters because the program combines Career and Technical Education (CTE) and dual-credit coursework with San Jacinto College, allowing some students to graduate with an associate degree or industry certificate and providing a direct pipeline into both four‑year universities and the local workforce.
Teachers and staff recounted the program’s size, classroom relationships and program offerings. "This school is very small but the kids are very close knit," said Dr. Sahagin, a physics, astronomy and anatomy and physiology teacher at Early College High School. Jordan Slife, a geometry teacher who also teaches college-prep electives, said, "Our big push this year is to make sure we get these kids passing the TSIA," referring to the state’s college-readiness assessment.
Program offerings mentioned during the event included welding, medical assistant, pharmacy technician, graphic design, engineering graphics design, cosmetology, diesel technology, child development and associate of arts tracks. Anthony Felder, who identified himself as a teacher and the school’s testing coordinator, pointed to student outcomes and local employment: "We are making a huge impact on our community." He and other speakers cited graduates who went on to institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Penn State, the University of Texas at Austin, UT San Antonio and Texas State, and graduates who entered the workforce with applied science or technical credentials.
Administrators acknowledged tradeoffs for students enrolling in Early College. Ashley Sherrard, associate principal, said, "Our students are not able to participate in the same extracurricular activities that they would if they were enrolled in the traditional high schools," naming football, band, choir and UIL dance as examples, and said the school works with the dual-credit office to enroll students in appropriate college classes. Students and staff noted the availability of two‑year programs and certificates that allow graduates to enter jobs immediately or continue toward a bachelor’s degree.
Students who spoke reflected on their experience. A senior told classmates, "I wish I had done more was enjoy the moment," urging peers to balance academics with the social aspects of high school. The anniversary remarks closed with a message of gratitude from school staff celebrating the partnership with San Jacinto College and district leadership: "10 years at Early College High School, and here's to another 10," said a staff member.
No formal actions or votes were recorded during the remarks; the event consisted of presentations and personal reflections about the Early College program and its outcomes.
