In 2002, Early College High Schools Initiative became a reality across the United States for students and educators looking for ways to improve student graduation rates, college attendance, and overall student achievement. This mixed method case study found that (a) the early college high school environment supported the academic success of disadvantaged and underrepresented students, (b) during subsequent conversations with teachers, students, and the administration, it was revealed that these stakeholders readily identified critical success factors, and (c) there was a high degree of agreement on what these factors were—high expectations, purposeful actions, and meaningful relationships.
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