The Pathways in Technology Early College High School (PTECH) program is an innovative program focused on helping students who graduate with a high school diploma to simultaneously earn their associates degree.

The program tends to be quite rigorous, as it requires that specific courses such as Micro and Macro Economics, as well as BIM be taken in order to graduate with both degrees.  In addition, it requires that certain testing, such as the TSI or The Texas Success Initiative for reading and math be taken and passed.

When students in the program were asked if it was a worthwhile program, the answers were overwhelmingly positive.

“I would recommend any incoming freshman join P-TECH. It is very beneficial, ” says current P-TECH student and junior Mills Hall. “You are able to take a majority of your core college classes in high school and save time in college.”

He explains that while it is a rigorous course with difficult classes and workload, it ultimately pays off.

“It allows me to experience what running a business will be like.” Hall said.

Similarly, P-TECH Advisor Stephen Brink feels that the program is very beneficial and definitely worth the work load.

“When students graduate they will have all those duel credit class they won’t have to take in college and they wont have to pay for it because they already have the credits, ” Brink said. “Additionally, they have the opportunity to graduate with an associates in business.”

However, while students do discuss the benefits of the program, they also recognize its hardships. Many display some concern over the pursuit of P-TECH in high school and its lack of collaboration with high school schedules.

“I wish that EPCC and Coronado itself would be more understanding and interconnected with its students because it is easy for students [assignments] to get lost or left behind, ” P-TECH student Pablo Melendez said. “I wish they were more organized.”

The Class of 2025 will be the first official graduating P-TECH class from Coronado. If students are interested in joining, they should see their counselor.