Early College HS at DSU Set to Begin 2nd Year
With the successful completion of its inaugural ninth grade class, the Early College High School at Delaware State University (ECHS@DSU) is welcoming a new class of freshmen that will join the 10th grade class in the novel secondary school.
With retirement of former director Dr. Judi Coffield, the ECHS@DSU is now under the leadership of Dr. Evelyn Edney, the former principal of Dover High School. Dr. Edney has hit the ground running by establishing a summer five-week program for the students that will give them an opportunity to earn some credit hours – including college credit.
The mission of the ECHS@DSU is to provide highly motivated Delaware students with a curriculum concentrating on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) that is integrated with the relevant curriculum at DSU. Students will graduate with 30 to 60 college credit hours, which will enable to them to finish college in only 2-3 years once enrolled in an institution of higher education.
Dr. Edney said she wants to take the possibilities beyond students earning 30-60 college credit hours.
“I’d like to see students finishing with an associate’s degree,” the new director said. “We have to make sure that they have the skills to get there.”
Toward that end, Dr. Edney has upgraded a Summer Bridge Program – which last summer served as an orientation for new students – into a five-week program of coursework for both the ninth- and 10th- graders.
The ninth-graders are taking a college credit micro-computer course, along with a ½ -credit physical education course and a freshmen literacy course.
The 10th-graders are taking a college credit lifetime fitness and wellness course, a physical education course and a sophomore literacy class. The Summer Bridge Program for both grades is being held on the DSU campus in Memorial Hall.
As of mid-July, the ECHS@DSU total enrollment is at 207 students (9th and 10th grade combined). Classes for the regular school year will begin on Aug. 24 and take place in the west first floor portion of the DSU Living and Learning Commons Building.