The application for the 2024-2025 school year is open. Go Here: https://www.austinisd.org/enroll 

Academy Info Slides (for NEW parents) 

Parents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please email omar.gomez@austinisd.org or john.a.rodriguez@austinisd.org (Program Project Specialists) and christine.hankins@austinisd.org (Academy Counselor) for questions. SEE below for the Austin ISD Common application process and timeline. 

PLEASE NOTE: The PTECH programs @ Akins ECHS Academy are open to any student in Austin ISD and surrounding areas. At present, students in the Akins ECHS attendance zone will have priority for the General Studies pathway. For more information about the two PTECH programs, visit PTECH Real Estate or PTECH Teaching. 

The Early College High School program at Akins High School was established in the 2019-2020 school year as the school's 7th Academy.  It provides an opportunity for students to complete up to 60 hours of transferable college credit while in high school at NO COST to the student or family.  

Austin ISD / Akins ECHS General Studies - Enroll

Family Commitment Priority Deadline

Decision Letters Sent to Families

What is the ECHS Academy Program all about?

• Textbooks, courses, and transportation are FREE!
• Students can earn an associate degree and complete all the high school requirements by the time they graduate from Akins ECHS.
• Students can access ACC support services, including college advising, career counseling, and free tutoring. Students can use all ACC facilities and participate in ACC events for free.
• Students receive academic support through a full-time ECHS coordinator, AVID classes, tutoring, and study halls. They are encouraged to take other advanced academic classes, such as Pre-AP, AP, and OnRamps, if it fits in their schedules.
• NO COST to the student or family for tuition, transportation, or textbooks!

What are the Three Pathways all about?

See below to learn more about the three programs in the ECHSA. Students interested in the Teaching or Real Estate P-TECH programs will be a part of our ECHS Academy.

• ECHS General Studies 4-year Plan
• More information about the Real Estate PTECH Program
• More information about the Teaching PTECH Program

Who is eligible to apply and join the ECHS Academy?

The Akins Early College High School program is open to students who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• First-generation college potential (neither custodial parent has received a 4-year degree).
• Belonging to a population that is underrepresented in higher education.
• A student seeking an accelerated or more rigorous academic experience.

The program has one main recruitment period (October to February) for students seeking to begin the program in the Fall semester of the following academic year.  To apply, students must be in the eighth grade at any middle school within or outside of AISD.

Once students have applied, they must take the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) test.  Students must meet college readiness in the Reading and Writing portions of this test to be eligible to begin taking college classes.  If college-ready, students may start college courses right away in the spring semester of their 9th-grade year.  Students that are not college-ready will be provided TSI preparation during the school day.