Who can apply for Early College?
Current 8th-grade students, who will be 9th-grade students at the start of the 2025-26 school year, can apply for this four-year program.
What is the required commitment for the program?
Students must make a four-year commitment from 9th through 12th grade to fully participate in and benefit from ECP.
If accepted into the program, where would I attend high school?
Students will attend their home high school within IUSD to complete their high school coursework. Eight spaces are reserved for students from each high school. Should additional spaces become available, other students may be considered for the program. Students can also opt to enroll full-time at San Joaquin HS while participating in the Early College Program.
Would this impact zero period or elective classes during periods 1 and 2?
Yes. Most classes will be virtual or asynchronous, but occasional in-person attendance may be required for assessments and lab activities. IVC classes will be four days per week from 8-9:30 a.m. during the period 1 and period 2 time blocks at each high school. This will allow students to complete all other coursework at their home school, whether that be at a comprehensive high school or San Joaquin.
Are Early College Program (ECP) courses the same as Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and do they count for weighted credits?
No, ECP courses are community college courses that provide college credit and transfer to both UC and CSU systems. AP courses are high school courses that may or may not count for college credit. AP courses are weighted on the high school transcript, while ECP courses are not. However, any weighted points earned from ECP courses could be applied directly within the college application process.
What if I want to earn college credits but cannot participate in this program or I am not accepted into the program?
IUSD understands that our students have many unique needs and goals, which is why we offer students four ways to earn college credits while attending high school. In addition to ECP, this includes Dual Enrollment and College Career Access Pathways Dual Enrollment and Summer College. See Page 3 of this handout or visit iusd.org/EarlyCollege for more information.
What are the benefits of ECP for high school students?
- Students are more likely to graduate high school, attend college, and complete a college degree.
- The program is tuition-free for California residents, saving students thousands of dollars.
- Students can earn college credit while in high school.
- The opportunity to accelerate the time it takes to achieve a college degree.
Do I need to submit a FAFSA form?
No, Dual Enrollment students do not need to complete a FAFSA form in order to take college classes while in high school.
Do parents/guardians have the right to access IVC student records?
Once a student has officially enrolled in an institution of higher education, the student is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. FERPA applies to all parents and/or guardians of all college students regardless of student age, including dual enrollment students who are concurrently enrolled in a high school and at the college.
Under Section 49061 of the Education Code, parents/guardians of community college students do not have a right to access their children's student records, regardless of whether the student is under the age of 18. In accordance with this regulation, students' college records will be released to parents/guardians only with the written consent of the student.
College instructors cannot discuss students' grades and progress in class with their parents/guardians. Parents should not expect a response from college professors and should refrain from contacting college professors.
I have a 504 or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP); what services are available to me?
All 504 and IEP plans remain in place at IUSD schools for students. However, IEP plans do not transfer to colleges, including IVC. Students may receive an array of academic accommodations and services in a college setting, including IVC, by initiating a request through the Disability Support Programs for Students office. Students should reach out as soon as they decide to register for college courses, as it takes time to get approved. 504 plans do transfer to college settings.
Where can I receive more information about ECP?
Visit ivasecondary.iusd.org/ECP or email ivasecondary@iusd.org.