Curriculum and Programs
Reading/English language Arts * Math * Science * Social Studies * Visual and Performing Arts * Experiential Student Field Lessons * Extracurricular Clubs and Athletics * Service Learning
What Sets Us Apart
Cultural Relevance
Addressing the needs of Texas’ diverse student population is a top priority for the East Austin College Prep Academy and Southwest Key Programs. According to the U.S. Census, the number of Latino students in U.S. public schools almost doubled between 1990 and 2006, with Texas as one of four states where the Latino public school student population is more than 40 percent of all students. By using Southwest Key as a culturally relevant resource, East Austin College Prep is helping the area’s high school students raise their test scores, preparing students and their families for higher education, and improving employment opportunities.
“Even though charter schools make up only 2% of Texas Public Schools, they make up 20% of the best high schools in Texas. We applaud East Austin College Prep for creating a partnership with residents of East Austin and providing quality choice in education.” -- Katie H. Howell, Executive Director of the Resource Center for Charter Schools.
Our Model
East Austin College Prep's organizational principles are modeled after a high-performing school model: the YES Prep Public Schools.
YES Prep is a free, open-enrollment public school system serving 2,600 students across five campuses in the Houston, Texas area. YES Prep Public Schools have proven results in serving low income students and preparing them for success at a college or university. YES has been ranked as the best public school in Houston by Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report and the Houston Chronicle. On the state-mandated TAKS test, from 2005-2006, YES sixth-grade students scored significantly higher than students in the Houston Independent Schools District (HISD) and students state-wide: in reading, 95% of YES students passed compared to 82% from HISD and 91% state-wide. For the math\ TAKS, 91% of YES students passed, compared to 64% of HISD students and 80% of students state-wide.
For the eighth consecutive year, 100 percent of YES Prep’s graduating seniors have been accepted into four-year colleges, including Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Rice and Stanford. YES Prep combines a highly successful 6th-12th grade model along with high standards for student achievement and parental involvement.
Standards for success at YES Prep that are incorporated into East Austin College Prep include:
• Parents, students, and teachers sign a contract that states they will do Whatever It Takes to succeed
• Students dedicate one Saturday each month to service learning projects
• Teachers are available for students to contact them during the evenings and weekends with questions
• Students participate in longer school days, college research trips, summer school and summer opportunities
Like YES Prep, our ultimate goal is to support underserved and minority youth in attending and completing college. Students at East Austin College Prep adhere to an extended and enriching academic day that starts at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m., with the exception of Friday when the day ends at 4:00 p.m. We recruit teachers who are passionate and committed individuals willing to be accessible to students until 9:00 p.m. each night to answer homework questions and available for tutoring students before school, after school and on weekends. Teachers commit to a longer school day and school year.
