Toledo Early College High School

Toledo Early College High School (TECHS) is a public high school located in Toledo, Ohio. Part of the Toledo school system, it was founded in 2005 as an Early college high school and provide students the opportunity to simultaneously pursue a high school diploma and earn college credits.^[1] All students who apply to the school are considered, including students who are serviced through Individual Educational Plans. However, preference is given to students who are ethnic minorities, ESL students, students who qualify for free/reduced lunches, and students who are the first generation to attend college.^[2] The school was ranked 17th in the state of Ohio in 2012^[3] and during its second year of operation achieved an "Excellent" ranking.^[4]

Toledo Early College High School is affiliated with the University of Toledo. As of 2014, the school principal is Dr. Robin Wheatley.

History of Early College High School

In 2005, Toledo Early College High School began its first school year with the freshman class of 2009. The principal was Valerie Naperalski. The four core curriculum teachers were Paulette Dewey, Randy Nissen, Timothy Bollin, and Paul Tierney. In 2006, the second graduating class - the class of 2010 - entered with four new staff members: Emily Francis, Mona Al-Hayani, Paulette Cole, and Sharon Storm.

Current teachers at TECHS now include Steve Tomczak, Robert Shawver, Mona Al-Hayani, Paulette Cole, Gaynell Wamer, Randy Nissen, Timothy Bollin, Melissa Joseph, Julia Kwiatkowski, Christine May, and Jan Lehman.

In 2010, Toledo Public Schools considered closing TECHS as part of budget cuts.^[5] TPS later eliminated closing the school, along with Toledo Technology Academy, in favor of closing Libbey High School.

TECHS academics

On average, TECHS OGT scores are particularly high. In the 2006-2007 school year, the first administration had passing rates of 100% (Writing), 100% (Reading), 100% (Math), 96% (Social Studies), and 88% (Science).^[6]

The high attendance rate at Toledo Early College High School is crucial to the school's Excellent rating.^[7]

This quote may be found on the Toledo Early College school website:

Toledo Early College High School has earned an "Excellent" rating on the Toledo Public Schools report card that was issued by the Ohio Department of Education for the 2006-2007 school year. The "Excellent" rating was based on Toledo Early College High School's daily attendance record and Ohio Graduation Test scores.^[6]

How Toledo Early College works

Students who attend Toledo Early College High School begin taking college classes when they are a freshman. This first class is taught on the Scott Park campus and directed by a college instructor. During the student's junior year, he or she begins taking classes on the main campus of the University of Toledo.

During the student's junior and senior year, most if not all classes are taken on the University of Toledo campuses, including the Center for Visual Arts at the Toledo Museum of Art.

Students can graduate from TECHS with up to 60 college credits, equivalent to two years of credit at UT.

School clubs and organizations

Toledo Early College High School has several clubs and student activities. Principal Robin Wheatley said the school has "a competitive quiz bowl team, yearbook staff, Youth to Youth, drama club, chess club, a community dance troupe and an American Sign Language club, to name a few."^[4]

• Yearbook Staff
• Quiz Bowl Team
• Chess Club
• Drama Club

Notable alumni

The first class of students officially graduated on May 21, 2009. 43 students graduated at the ceremony in Nitschke Hall at the University of Toledo.^[8] And most recently the class of 2013, which is the largest graduating class at the school with a total of 52 graduates on May 21, 2013

Many of the graduates from 2009 through 2015 are continuing their college education at The University of Toledo and other colleges.

References