Sixty-three Marine Creek Collegiate High School students are preparing to graduate this semester as part of the school’s partnership with Tarrant County College Northwest.
MCCHS opened in the 2010-2011 school year as Tarrant County College’s flagship early college high school. Marine Creek opened with about 40 students and served Lake Worth ISD. In the last seven years, the school has grown to more than 340 students and now serves Fort Worth ISD. Estimates for enrollment for the 2018-2019 school year include more than 370 students.
While anyone is welcome to apply and admission is based on a blind lottery, the mission of the early college high school is to reach students who might otherwise have difficulty gaining access to or completing college, for example, students who are the first in their family to attend or complete college. Once admitted, students spend four years taking both high school and college classes. One hundred percent of Marine Creek Collegiate High School students graduate with their high school diploma and better than 80 percent also graduate with their associate degree. All come away with at least some college credit from Tarrant County College that can be applied toward a transfer to another institution.
“My overall experience at MCCHS has been an unforgettable one,” writes MCCHS graduating senior Zachary Stemple. “The experiences and life lesson taught through the many great teachers and professors at both MCCHS and TCC can never be replaced and neither can the ‘family’ I’ve made here. Our class is 63 students strong and we have all bonded and grown as people together.”
Stemple is also vice president of TCC Northwest’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and will be transferring to Texas A&M University to study engineering.
Senior Amy Trejo, who is transferring to Baylor University’s pre-med program after graduating from MCCHS, said her experience has been incredible.
“I think coming to MCCHS has prepared me for college in the best way possible. It eases you into the hectic schedule and heavy course load of college. You start your freshman year with a few classes and it slowly progresses until you are a full-time college student. This has helped me incredibly because I already have the study habits, time management and ability to apply myself long before I start a four-year university in the fall. This is a huge advantage that MCCHS provides over going to an average high school.”
Last year, MCCHS was awarded the Gold Medal from the National Center for Urban School Transformation and was the only high school in the nation to receive such a distinction. Of the 63 graduates this year, 26 students have received more than $2.6 million in scholarships.
Amy Trejo
What are you most proud of during this time?
I am most proud of the fact that I made it this far. We started off with so many people in the program and they just slowly begin to fall out. I believe that the school is in no way at fault about it, it’s a hard program and not everyone has what it takes to get through it. A real shark doesn’t quit, and I am just proud to be a survivor.
How has this experience prepared you for the next phase of your education?
I think coming to MCCHS has prepared me for college in the best way possible. It eases you into the hectic schedule and heavy course load of college. You start your freshman year with a few classes and it slowly progresses until you are a full time college student. This has helped me incredibly because I already have the study habits, time management, and ability to apply myself long before I start a four-year university in the fall.
How was your experience at MCCHS different than you expected going in?
When I started MCCHS, I certainly didn’t expect to love it so much. It has just been an incredible experience. Even though I missed out on a lot of normal high school things, like a homecoming, I gained a greater respect for education. MCCHS really teaches you to value education and helps you realize that you can pursue your career dreams as long as you truly apply yourself. I went into MCCHS afraid I wouldn’t be cut out for the work, but I surprised myself and have really been able to flourish with the help of amazing professors and administration. (Mini shout-out to Mrs. Reed who has helped me through so much, and I wouldn’t be where I am without her.)
Zachary Stemple
What are you most proud of during this time?
During my time at MCCHS I have been able to be part of Phi Theta Kappa and hold an officer position for two years, which has been an amazing and learning experience.
How has this experience prepared you for the next phase of your education?
My experience at MCCHS has prepared me for further education by teaching me (whether willingly or by force) healthy study habits, how to have professional correspondence with my peers, as well as those in authority.
How was your experience at MCCHS different than you expected going in?
Coming in to the program I really did not have any major expectations which helped me enjoy my time here. The biggest surprise for me and also one of my favorite aspects of the school is the independence it offers you. The school offers you opportunities to operate on you own (similar to that of being a college student). That for me helped me thrive as a student and develop a love for MCCHS.