National Blue Ribbon Schools Program

Achieve Early College High School provides a means for students to earn a college Associates Degree by the time they graduate from high school. This is accomplished at no cost to their families.

Achieve is a state designated Exemplary public high school that sits on a college campus, serving a significant low-income population where most of the students are first-generation college attendees. Found just 10 miles from the border with Mexico, Achieve works in partnership with South Texas College in McAllen, Texas. The surrounding county is consistently ranked among the poorest in the nation by per capita income. The growing population is more than 80 percent Hispanic. Though McAllen’s attainment of high school and college degrees is on par with the nation’s, the county lags behind with only 15 percent of the population earning a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Achieve cultivates students who think critically, communicate effectively, function independently, problem solve, use technology, and work cooperatively. The school is committed to providing a positive atmosphere, rigorous academic standards, and personalized learning for each student. Through application of research-based practices, staff support students’ academic, social, physical, and emotional development as they become life-long learners who are college and career ready.

The mission at Achieve is for students and staff to work diligently to bridge the gap in access to education and to provide a successful transition from high school to post-secondary study. Most students graduate from Achieve with a completed Associates degree and work towards completing a four-year degree and beyond.