Welcome to Challenge Early College High School,
a nationally recognized 2011 Blue Ribbon School!

Challenge Early College is a high school where students are given the unique opportunity to take college classes along with the regular high school curriculum. Housed on the HCCS West Loop campus, with articulated sharing of space and staff, CECHS allows the high school student to gradually integrate into college course work through his or her traditional high school degree plan.

For more information, explore this website or call (713) 664-9712.

Attention Class of 2012

If you would like to purchase commencement pictures, the photographer will be at school for prepayment orders on Wednesday, May 9 and Thursday May 17 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in front of the main office. The cost is $20.00 for two 5 x 7 pictures. Please see Ms. Alfaro if you have any questions.

Summer Reading

While you are relaxing this summer, remember that there is reading to be done. Don't put off your summer reading until the last minute!
Download the summer reading assignments:

• 9th grade (coming soon)
• 10th grade
• 11th grade (coming soon)

Challenge Students Place at Math and Science Competition

The 27th annual Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME) Statewide Math & Science Competition was held at Texas A&M University on Saturday April 14, 2012. The event brought together more than 300 winners of regional competitions from across Texas. The 6th-12th grade students from 11 TAME regional chapters competed in individual math and science tests and participated in an engineering team design challenge. The top 5 students from each test and the top 5 teams & 3 Judge’s Choice Teams from the Team Design Challenge were honored with trophies and medals, including the following Challenge ECHS students:

• William Montano- High School Algebra I- 5th Place
• Jessica Salazar- Physics- 4th Place
• Moises Tacam- Integrated Physics & Chemistry- 2nd Place

Congratulations to all! You make the Challenge family proud!

Challenge places #11 in Children at Risk Rankings

CECHS earned spot near the top again this year in the annual Children at Risk school rankings. Children at Risk, a Houston-based research and advocacy nonprofit, ranked 1,196 public elementary, middle and high schools in eight local counties, based on student test scores, attendance and other factors. The ranking formula gives extra credit to schools that serve large concentrations of low-income students because poverty is strongly linked to test scores. Challenge came in #11 in the Houston area, and #30 in the state. This is the second year in a row that CECHS has placed this high in the rankings, a reflection of the hard work that our students do on a daily basis. Congratulations!

Challenge Stars Shine at Talent Show

This year's Talent Show, sponsored by the Class of 2012, was hailed by many to be the best we have ever had. Challenge students danced, sang, read original poetry and prose, and played a variety of musical instruments, entertaining a full house in the HCC auditorium. The audience also got to hear a vocal performances from our own SIO Mr. Fuentes, who tried, in vain, to compete with the students. Congratulations to Javon, Jerica, Clifford and Justin for dancing their way to first place, to musicians Isaiah and Isak for placing a strong second, and to 3rd place Mia for her passionate reading of her original prose.

Start practicing for next year!

Challenge Senior Wins Houston Money Week Essay Contest

Jasmine Gallien, senior at Challenge Early College High School, won first place in the Houston Money Week Essay Contest in the high school division with her essay about the benefits of saving and budgeting. Jasmine was awarded a $2500 scholarship from Capital One Bank. Way to go, Jasmine!

Where are you going to college?

Have you heard of Cornell University? University of Notre Dame? Trinity University? University of Texas? Well, they have heard of Challenge! These are just a handful of the dozens of four year colleges and universities that have sent letters of acceptance to CECHS students this year. See what colleges and universities have accepted our graduating students so far.

Future Engineers Represent Challenge at UH

On February 10th a group of Challenge students participated in the “Engineering in Healthier Life” competition at the University of Houston. The competition included a theoretical exam on engineering in medicine and group work with students from other school to assemble a solar car. Our students won prizes and medals, including Kameron (Best Pick Car Design), Ester (2nd place, fastest solar car) and Ovidio and Emma (3rd place, fastest car). Congratulations to all!

Debate Team Shines

Three cheers for the Challenge Debate Team! We sent 5 teams to the City Championship at the Federal Courthouse downtown on Saturday, February 25. In addition to the CECHS teams, there were teams from North Houston Early College, Reagan, East Early College, Carnegie, Sharpstown and more. The semifinals featured three teams (Emmanuel and Niko, Zoe and Sandra, and Markfirah and Rachel), including the eventual champion team of Markfirah and Rachel.
Please congratulate these accomplished debaters!

Challenge International Festival

The Challenge International Festival, held on Thursday, February 23rd, was a smashing success. Students in the Latin Dance Club and the Glee Club showed off their skills, and Dr. Lawson's folk dancing group taught the crowd how to do traditional Scandinavian dances. The food was plentiful and delicious, and it showed off the broad array of cultures that are represented in our small school. Thank you to the PTO for organizing such a fun event!

U.S. Education Secretary Recognizes Challenge as One of Nation's Top Schools at 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony

On November 15, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan honored 315 schools as the 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools at an awards luncheon in Washington, D.C. The Blue Ribbon School award honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that have helped close the achievement gap and whose students attain and maintain high academic goals. This year's winners include your very own Challenge Early College High School. The schools—266 public and 49 private—are among more than 6,000 that have received the coveted award over the past 29 years.

"America's long-term economic prosperity and civic engagement depends on our children receiving a world-class education," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "National Blue Ribbon Schools are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers. Their success is an example for others to follow."

This is a tribute to Challenge students' hard work and dedication. Congratulations on a job well done, and keep up the good work!