ECA Frequently Asked Questions

1.	Q.	Is the Early College Academy a charter school?
1.	A.	No, the Early College Academy is not a charter school. The ECA is a member school of APS that is administrated and funded like other district high schools such as La Cueva, Albuquerque High, etc.

2.	Q.	Why would a student want to attend the ECA?
2.	A.	There are many reasons why a student would want to attend the ECA including: small class sizes (~20 students per class), a small school environment (~240 students full enrollment), a strong college-preparatory education (including four years of mathematics and two years of a foreign language), more personalized instruction, after-school tutoring, the ability to take a variety of elective classes at the CEC, CNM, and/or UNM, and dual enrollment so that students can take college classes, earning credit toward a college degree while still in high school.

3.	Q.	Can't students at any high school participate in dual enrollment? How does dual enrollment make the ECA special?
3.	A.	Yes, students at any high school can participate in dual enrollment. What makes the ECA special is that dual enrollment is a cornerstone philosophy of the institution. The ECA works continuously with CNM to make it easy for ECA students to take college classes. The physical location of the ECA campus enables students to take core high school classes in the morning and then walk to afternoon CNM classes. The ECA and CNM are working to streamline the enrollment process for ECA students with CNM providing personnel at the ECA campus during registration. CNM coordinates times for class offerings to mesh with ECA students schedules. Furthermore, the goal of the ECA is to ensure that students are successful in college classes using a variety of techniques including close monitoring of student progress, monitoring class loads, and providing counseling.

4.	Q.	Do students have to get an Associate Degree from CNM in order to attend the ECA?
4.	A.	No, students do not have to get an Associate Degree. The ECA works with CNM to enable students to get an Associate Degree in five years (typically four years high school and CNM plus one year full-time at CNM). Attainment of an Associate Degree is purely optional and has no bearing on acceptance or continuing enrollment in the ECA.

5.	Q.	Can students take classes at the University of New Mexico?
5.	A.	Yes, ECA students can take UNM classes.

6.	Q.	Is there bus transportation to the ECA?
6.	A.	Yes, the district provides bus transportation. Please see the "ECA at a Glance" web page for details.

7.	Q.	Are the graduation requirements for the ECA the same as for other district high schools?
7.	A.	ECA students must meet all district requirements for graduation. In addition, ECA students are required to take a fourth year of mathematics and two years of foreign language. ECA students must complete a college level class (most likely, on the CNM campus) in order to graduate. For details of the graduation requirements, please see the "ECA at a Glance" web page.

8.	Q.	Can students transfer into the ECA after their freshman year?
8.	A.	Yes, students can transfer into the ECA if openings are available and they have successfully completed the coursework detailed under "Entrance Requirements" on the "ECA at a Glance" web page.

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807 Mountain Rd NE	Phone: (505) 247-3658
Albuquerque, NM 87102