EDGE

Union Public Schools and Tulsa Community College are part of a joint venture creating EDGE - Earn a Degree, Graduate Early, a program that is among the first of its kind in the state.

This program provides eligible Union High School students the opportunity to earn 60 college credits concurrently while attending Union High School; students who complete the program will receive both an associate degree and a high school diploma upon graduation.

EDGE: Earn a Degree, Graduate Early targets first-generation college students, those who come from families who have had no experience with college or expectation that their children will attend a university.

EDGE launched with an initial cohort of 50-60 students. Union celebrated the first graduating class of EDGE in the spring of 2021.

Resources

About the Program

While Union has offered concurrent classes of eligible students to several years, EDGE presents a new cohort of students each year with a unique early college high school experience. TCC instructors teach rigorous college-level courses on-site at Union High School.

The courses offered at Union and at TCC include the general education requirements many local universities require in the initial two years of post-secondary education. Students qualifying for the program have the opportunity to earn 60 hours of college credit and an associate degree in a Liberal Arts field.

Expectations

Expectations are high . . . for students and the program. Through the cooperative and shared use of resources, personnel, and facilities, TCC and Union Public Schools will provide access to higher education while reducing the barriers to college completion.

This program is setting the stage for how Early College High School is implemented in Oklahoma. The State Regents for Higher Education is committed to helping improve college graduation rates in Oklahoma, as well as helping to create more first-generation college students.

The program is also a direct response to Oklahoma’s workforce needs, as employers struggle to find enough qualified employees to fill positions in high-growth industries.

Breaking Down the Barriers to College

EDGE at Union Public Schools will target first-generation college students, those who come from low-income families who have had no experience with college or expectation that their children will attend a university.

By putting students on-track for college before they leave high school, we plan to change the life trajectory for many young people.

Ultimately, we hope to improve college graduation rates in Oklahoma, while better preparing students for a successful career in high-demand fields with potentially higher salaries.

Class Schedule

The EDGE: Earn a Degree, Graduate Early program will begin with a college preparatory curriculum their freshman year. Beginning in 10th Grade, college courses will be gradually added to the student's schedule.

College courses will be introduced on a graduated basis:

Sophomore year: 3 college courses
Junior year: 8 college courses
Senior year: 9 college courses

Camp College/summer program: EDGE students will be expected to attend a summer “bridge experience” to orient them to college-level expectations, study, research, and time management skills, and to build relationships with fellow students.

Tulsa Community College instructors will teach the college courses, which will begin in the students’ sophomore year.

Students will be able to take up to 19 combined college credit hours and high school classes per semester.

EDGE classes will be held primarily at the High School.
As seniors, EDGE students will take their college classes at TCC Southeast Campus.
College classes will take place on a Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday schedule, with study classes on Fridays.

Student Support

Freshman EDGE students will form a cohort and have three classes together – advanced biology, advanced English and college prep – for ongoing support.

EDGE students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average their freshman year.

EDGE students must maintain a 2.0 grade point average in grades 10-12 and be on track for high school graduation.

TCC advisors will conduct individual or group college advisement conferences, including degree audits, two times per year with all EDGE students. EDGE counselors will track credit requirements for the high school diploma.

EDGE students will have access to the TCC Writing Lab, Math Lab, Library, and other college facilities and services available to other TCC students.

During the regular academic year, transportation to TCC Southeast Campus during the school day will be provided by the district.

FAQ

Q: Is there a cost for EDGE?

My student is enrolled in concurrent (dual enrollment) courses at Union. Can my student switch to EDGE?

Why is there a charge for concurrent college courses when there is not one for the EDGE program?

The reason has to do with how the two programs are funded. Union Public Schools is paying TCC to offset the cost of the instructors for the EDGE program as part of this program. The EDGE program also has an entirely different focus – recruiting first-generation college students and under resourced students while the concurrent enrollment/dual enrollment program is open to all students.

You say, “This program is not for everyone.” What are the other options available to my student?

Qualifications
What Students Say

Qualifications

Though EDGE is open to all students who are residents of Union Public Schools, it is specifically targeted to serve traditionally underrepresented students, including low-income, first-generation college-goers and minority students. The program is a focused opportunity for Oklahoma Promise scholars.

The demographics of each cohort group will mirror the district’s demographics.

Students must meet college admission and course placement requirements to take college courses once they have been selected for EDGE. There is no specific grade point average or test score to apply for the program during their freshman year.

Students are not required to have a specific GPA or test score to enter the program as a freshman. However, students must meet college admission and core placement requirement to take college courses by the end of their freshman year,

EDGE Is Not For Everyone

EDGE - Earn a Degree, Graduate Early is not for everyone. If students are active in extracurricular activities that conflict with their schedule of college classes, this may present a challenge. We will do our best to make accommodations; however, for this program to be successful, students need to be firmly committed to their college course load.

Parents and students must agree to participate in key components of the program in order to qualify.

Student Recruitment and Selection Process

All eighth graders are invited to apply for EDGE.
The application process will open in January.
Presentations will be at the 8^th Grade Center.
Parent information meeting will be offered.
Students will complete an application and an essay. They will also obtain two letters of recommendations.
An important step in the application process is completing the Oklahoma Promise application.
In order to provide equitable access to college education, 80 percent of accepted applicants must qualify for Oklahoma Promise or be registered for Oklahoma Promise.

What Students Say

Erin Hillhouse, Class of 2022

“I like EDGE: Earn a Degree, Graduate Early, formerly known as Early College High School, because it gets the pre-requisites out of the way so I can go right to the courses related to my major in college."

Keirsten Metcalf, Class of 2022

“Being accepted into EDGE: Earn a Degree, Graduate Early, formerly known as Early College High School, is an opportunity I’m thankful to be a part of. This program helped me to step out on faith and challenge myself, provided me with a jumpstart in college, and allowed me to alleviate some of the parental financial responsibilities towards continuing my education. A quote that resonates with me during this journey is, “If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” (Maya Angelou)

Aaron Chambers, Class of 2021

“EDGE: Earn a Degree, Graduate Early, formerly known as Early College High School, through a series of events, contributed greatly to my development of becoming the person I wanted to be. The entire program, from the students and teachers I interacted and formed relationships with, to the challenges that I had to tackle when transitioning in the very beginning and again when social distancing practices went into place. EDGE is the reason I applied to colleges and a huge contributor to me making it through high school due to my own desire. The program helped me see my full potential was greater than I previously believed and I could reach it if only I tried my hardest to meet the challenges thrown at me day in and day out. Earn a Degree, Graduate Early is why one of my favorite words is “kaizen,” the idea of changing for the better.”

Kimberly Ibarra, Class of 2020

“EDGE: Earn a Degree, Graduate Early, formerly known as Early College High School, helped me get once step closer to my dreams. I am, and always will be, beyond thankful for the amazing opportunity I was given to further my education by receiving my associate degree while still in high school."

Alyssa Warren, Class of 2020

"Being in EDGE: Earn a Degree, Graduate Early, formerly known as Early College High School, has helped me step into my adult life before even graduating high school; I’ll leave Union High School with an associate degree and a developed understanding of how to be successful in college courses while maintaining a part-time job, family duties, and any other obstacles I may face."

Bryan Flores, Class of 2021

“Tulsa Community College has not only allowed me to develop skills that many students my age simply don’t possess, but also, TCC has put me a step closer to becoming a pediatrician."

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