Early College Academy
The Early College Academy (ECA) at Trinity Washington University is a dual enrollment program affording students who attend Coolidge Senior High School the opportunity to obtain an Associates Degree while simultaneously earning their high school diploma. Students matriculate through the program in Cohorts. Students who attend Coolidge Senior High School apply to Coolidge to become a part of the Early College Academy at Trinity Washington University. Students and families make a 4 year commitment and all students must enter the program in their 9th grade year of high school.
Students who get accepted to the Early College Academy in the 9th grade participate in several activities to prepare them to attend Trinity Washington University full-time. Trinity Washington University designs a hosts of workshops for students in the 9th and 10th grades that are aimed to prepare each student to be successful when they attend Trinity Washington University in their 11th and 12th grade year.
The ECA curriculum at Trinity Washington University is rooted in the Liberal Arts. ECA students attend Trinity Washington University full time in the 11th and 12th grade. Students get an opportunity to explore several disciplines to discover the areas of study that are of interest to them. Students get to select electives in their second year of the program that cater to their individual interests.
Cristela Giselle Bonilla, ECA Graduate who now attends Trinity Washington University is providing students with helpful tips as well as reflecting on her journey as one of the first ECA graduates. She was speaking with ECA Cohort 3, the freshman ECA class. ECA Cohort 3 will graduate in 2025.
Aniya Willacy, ECA Graduate who now attends Trinity Washington University is providing students with helpful tips as well as reflecting on her journey as one of the first ECA graduates. She was speaking with ECA Cohort 2, the freshman ECA class. ECA Cohort 3 will graduate in 2024.
Calvin Coolidge High School
Calvin Coolidge High School is a comprehensive DC Public High School which partnered with Trinity Washington University to develop an Early College Program for students entering the 9th grade.
Coolidge High School is a proud partner and they work tirelessly to support the students in the Early College Academy. Coolidge is now recruiting the 4th Early College Academy Cohort.
Contact Us
Hope Witherspoon
Director of Dual Enrollment and Early College Programs
witherspoonh@trinitydc.edu
202-884-9206
On November 9, 2023 53 ECA students in Cohorts 4 & 5 participated in our annual ECA Shadow Day. These students will be attending Trinity fulltime in 2024 and 2025. Students sat in classes, participated in a campus tour, as well as engaged in workshops that were led by our Professor’s as well as our Admissions team. Students seem to love the workshop on a Growth Mindset.
Students had a fantastic time spending the day at Trinity. This is one of the many ways that we prepare our ECA students before they attend Trinity fulltime.
Trinity Washington University had the distinct pleasure of graduating it’s first cohort of students who participated in the Early College Academy program. We are happy to announce that 35 students obtained their Associates Degree on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
We saw students blossom as they matriculated through the Early College Program. Next year the second Early College Academy cohort will graduate; and we welcomed the third cohort this school year. The future is bright for all of the Early College Academy students.
Programming
- During the 9th & 10th grades students attend College Preparatory Workshops as well as shadow classroom visits at Trinity Washington University
- ECA students take their first college class in the summer as rising Juniors
- Once students are on campus full-time they are immersed in college life.
- ECA students who attend campus full-time have access to all of the resources that Trinity University has to offer (specialized tutoring, research assistance in the library, direct access to Professors, etc.)
- ECA students are monitored closely by the Director of Dual Enrollment & Early College Programs as well as their Academic Advisor
- Monthly meetings with the ECA Professors are held with the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences along with the Director of Dual Enrollment & Early College Programs, and the Academic Advisor to discuss the academic progress of every student and to provide support
- Bi-weekly meetings are held with Coolidge Senior High school to discuss the academic progress of each student
- The Academic Advisor works closely with the Director of Dual Enrollment and Early College Programs to ensure that students are receiving all of the academic support required for them to be successful in the program
- The Academic Advisor works closely with the Director of Academic Services to place students with the right tutors
- ECA students get opportunities to engage with guest lecturers as well as participate in field trips with professors
- Students are encouraged to think critically and explore their academic interests
- Students participate in Roundtable discussions that are led by Director of Dual Enrollment & Early College Programs. The Roundtable discussions are training sessions that focus on key skills needed for students to be successful in college
- Students attend monthly town hall meetings that are facilitated by the Director of Dual Enrollment & Early College Programs and the Academic Advisor. The purpose of the town hall is to help students navigate while on campus. Students receive pertinent information and experience mini workshops that cover a myriad of topics
Record of Success
- 23 out of the 35 students in the ECA program consistently made the Academic Dean’s List
- All students will be graduating with an Associates Degree in General Studies on Saturday, May 20, 2023
- All students in the ECA program completed 100 Service Learning Hours of volunteer service
- All students in the ECA program completed an Internship program
- Many students will finish their undergraduate degrees at Trinity Washington University in the fall of 2023