New Heights Adult High School has entered the next stage in its partnership with TCC by beginning to offer dual credit courses to its students.
The TCC Board of Trustees approved the formal agreement during its Jan. 23 meeting, and students have already been enrolled in classes, according to district director of educational partnerships Edward Hicks.
South Campus President Daniel Lufkin provided an update on the school’s progress during the Jan. 16 Board of Trustees work session.
The school, which opened in early September of last year, started its first term with over 500 students.
Now in its third term, the school currently enrolls 600 students and has a waiting list of over 520. With a retention rate of 82%, Lufkin said New Heights is “demonstrating strong student engagement and satisfaction.”
Student outreach and partnership manager Ricky Martinez said that while there have been a few drops, students are excited to be at New Heights.
“You see the same faces all the
time,” he said. “So we’re excited to be here. We just want to be part of their journey.”
One of the new faces is Ancharnita Hunter, an administrative assistant at a life insurance company who wants to further her career in finance by getting higher education.
She has been attending New Heights for a few weeks and said she loves the experience so far, especially since the school provides child care for her 3-year-old, Tyme, while she takes her classes.
Hunter heard about the dual credit courses available at New Heights in her career development class. She said she looks forward to taking it and that the program will affect her life in a positive way.
“It’ll put me places where I once couldn’t go,” she said.
According to a 2022 publication by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers aged 25 and over with a high school diploma earn 25% more than workers without high school diplomas.
It also showed that wages go up and unemployment rates go down as workers attain education.
Hicks said dual credit courses will give students more opportunities in life and in their careers.
“They may not have otherwise had an opportunity to either attend college or obtain a college credential, and we know that training past high school is imperative in order for students to obtain a job that allows them to earn a living wage for them and their families,” he said.
Martinez said New Heights has already had an impact on its students and they are proud to attend school.
“When they come into orientation, they’re nervous or quiet, they’re shy,” he said. “And I tell them, ‘Now you know how your kids feel when they go to school,’ … and they laugh about it. But just seeing their excitement for the school. They’re wanting to be here. They’re all here for the same reason.”
