ACE Program
ACE and Dual Enrollment
Accelerated College Education (ACE) and Dual Enrollment (DE) are programs that have been developed through a partnership between La Porte ISD and San Jacinto College. Through these programs, La Porte High School students have the opportunity to enroll in San Jacinto College and take classes for which the student will receive both high school and college credit.
Accelerated College Education
Accelerated College Education (ACE) is a rigorous program designed to allow students to graduate high school with an Associate’s Degree from San Jacinto College. Students will take courses at San Jacinto College (Main Campus) as well as classes at the high school campus. The district will provide transportation between the two campuses; however, students do have the options of driving or having their own transportation.
Students are invited to participate in the ACE program at the beginning of the Spring Semester of the students’ sophomore year. Once the grades for the Fall Semester are finalized, student who have achieved certain criteria are invited into the program. These requirements include:
- Passing high school Algebra 1 in the 8th Grade;
- Scoring at the “Meets Grade Level” on the Algebra 1 STAAR EOC;
- Have taken and maintained an average of at least 80% in Geometry Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) as a 9th Grade
- Enrolled in Algebra 2 Pre-AP (or higher Pre-AP math course) in 10th grade and maintained an average of at least 80% at the completion of the Fall Semester.
- Have taken and maintained an average of at least 80% in all other AP and Pre-AP classes (at least 2 other courses)
- Students must comply with the state compensatory attendance law (TEC Section 25.085) and have fewer than _______ tardies.
- Students must have a good discipline record
Students who meet the criteria will receive an invitation to attend a mandatory meeting that will address the expectations and requirements of the ACE program, as well as the process for enrolling into San Jacinto College. This meeting will take place early in the Spring Semester of the students’ 10th grade year.
Once a student has decided to participate in the ACE program, the next step is for the student to enroll in the college. These steps include:
- Submit an application to San Jacinto College
- Meet college readiness standards through 1, or combination of, the 3 following ways
- STAAR EOC: Scale Score of 4000 or above on the English 2 and Algebra exams
- PSAT: 460 or above on the EBRW section and 510 or above on the Math section
- TSI: 350 or above on the Math section, 351 or above on the Reading section, 340 or above on the multiple choice Writing section and a 4 or above on the Essay
- Provide proof of immunizations (most students may need a meningitis shot)
- Submit the Dual Credit/Early Admissions Enrollment Permission Form
Once students have completed the enrollment process, students will be required to attend an Orientation at San Jacinto College at the end of the Spring Semester. Students will then start classes at San Jacinto College during the Summer Semester of their 10th Grade year. Students will also be required to take classes during the Summer Semester of their 11th grade year as part of the ACE program.
Students will meet with an academic advisor every semester at San Jacinto College to create their college schedule. The high school will work with the college as much as possible; however, there are some restrictions on class schedules. The district will not pay tuition or provide district transportation for students to take night classes at the college. If a student wants to take a night class, then the student would be responsible for paying the tuition and fees for the course. While these classes would count towards the student’s Associate degree, it would not count for high school credit.
In order to graduate with an Associate Degree, students must stay diligent with their studies. There is not much opportunity to make up classes if classes are failed or dropped. Students who fail or drop more than two classes will be removed from the ACE program. Students who fail or drop a class past the reimbursement date will be responsible for repaying the district the cost of tuition. The amount will be attached to the student’s school fee bill and must be repaid. The LPHS Associate Principal must approve any request to drop a class prior to dropping the class.
Students should be aware that the grading scales for La Porte High School and San Jacinto College are different. In order to receive high school credit for a college course a student must receive an average of at least 70%. If a student receives an average less than 70%, the student will not receive high school credit and possibly be placed in credit recovery if the credit is needed in order to meet high school graduation requirements. The student that receives a grade of at least 60% will receive college credit at San Jacinto College; however, the student will not receive high school credit.
College Courses
High School Credit = greater than or equal to 70%
College Credit = greater than or equal to 60%
All books are paid for by La Porte ISD and must be returned to the high school at the completion of every semester. If a student fails to return books at the end of the semester, the cost of the books will be charged to the student’s fee bill.