Transmountain Early College High School

Transmountain Early College High School, commonly referred to as TMECHS, is the Early College High School for the El Paso Independent School District.[2] TMECHS participates in the STEM School program, and through collaboration with EPCC, allows students to take courses at its Transmountain Campus and receive an Associate degree before their high school graduation. It has also collaborated with the University of Texas at El Paso to allow its advanced students to attend UTEP courses in their senior year upon the early completion of their associate degree. All TMECHS students graduate under the Texas Distinguished Achievement Plan, which requires that they conduct original research under the guidance of professionals in their field.[3] Its students are representative of all geographic areas of the city. A lottery and interview process are used to select the 125 student freshman class each year since 2008.[4]

Transmountain Early College High School
Location
9570 Gateway North Boulevard

El Paso
,
Texas
79924

United States
Coordinates31.884327°N 106.438240°W / 31.884327; -106.438240
Information
TypeEarly College High School (Charter)
Motto"We strive for truth, knowledge, and success on the pathway to higher education."
Established2008
School districtEPISD
PrincipalN/A (temporary)
Faculty24.56 (FTE)[1]
Grades9–12
Enrollment454 (2017–18)[1]
Student to teacher ratio18.49[1]
ClassroomsPortable Classrooms
CampusSuburban
Color(s)Black, Turquoise, Silver
     
SportsIntramural only
NicknameTMECHS
Team nameMavericks
YearbookMaverick Trail
Information(915) 832-4270
WebsiteOfficial Website

Accelerated Graduation Plan

The TMECHS administration have designed and successfully implemented a program to allow advanced TMECHS students to complete their associate degrees by the end of their Junior year, and to attend UTEP courses their senior year. The first 27 of these early graduates have successfully completed their EPCC degrees and moved on to 4 year universities.[5] An arrangement was established by the school district to provide bus transportation for TMECHS students to and from UTEP by sharing the bus route already in place for the International Baccalaureate program students of Coronado High School.

Student spaceflight experiment

On STS-134, the Space Shuttle Endeavour launched with the science experiment "Effect of Microgravity on Biofilm Formation by E. coli on Polystyrene Particles" designed by TMECHS Juniors Jarisma Rodriguez and Michelle Holguin, as part of the NCESSE Student Spaceflight Experiments Program.[6][7][8] STS-134 was the final mission of the Space Shuttle Endeavour and the penultimate mission of NASA's Space Shuttle program.

Admission

To qualify for admission, students must:

  • Pass the 8th grade TAKS on the first attempt.
  • Maintain at least a 70% average in Middle School.
  • Send in an application.
  • Conduct an interview.

Sports

TMECHS does not offer school-sponsored competitive sports. However, it does offer intramural sports including American football, volleyball, soccer, and basketball.[9]

Music

TMECHS offers band, orchestra, piano, and guitar as electives, but does not participate in district-sponsored musical competitions such as Solo & Ensemble or All-Region competitions.

Clubs
  • Glee Club
  • Robotics
  • Student Government
  • Yearbook
  • UIL
  • Mock Trial
  • Academic Decathlon
  • National Honor Society
  • Community Service
  • Super SAC
  • Announcement Crew
  • Talent Show Crew
  • High Q[10]
  • Mu Alpha Theta
  • Karaoke Lunch
  • Film Club
  • TMECHS eSports Club

Available Degree Plans

This is a comprehensive list of the associate degree plans available for TMECHS students.[11]

Associate of Science
  • Architecture
  • Biology
  • Biological Sciences-Pre Dentistry
  • Biological Sciences-Pre Medicine,
  • Biological Sciences-Pre Pharmacy
  • Biological Sciences-Pre Veterinary
  • Chemistry
  • General Studies
  • Geological Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Physics

Associate of Arts
  • Computer Science
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Electrical/Electronic Engineering
  • Industrial/Mechanical/Metallurgical/Materials Engineering
  • Teacher Preparation

References
  1. "TRANSMOUNTAIN EARLY COLLEGE H S". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  2. "Early College High School Initiative". Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  3. "DAP FAQ". Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-09-22. Retrieved 2008-10-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "27 TMECHS students fitting in at UTEP". EPISD. Archived from the original on 2011-10-16. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  6. "NASA - El Paso, Texas". NASA. Archived from the original on 6 May 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  7. "El Paso Community College students watch shuttle launch with their project aboard".
  8. "Selected Experiments on STS-134:". SSEP Community Network. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  9. "Athletic Performance - TMECHS". Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  10. "KCOS High Q Episodes".
  11. "TMECHS Facts". Retrieved 15 May 2010.
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