TEMPLE, Texas — Temple High School has been recognized as High School of the Year by the Temple College Dual Credit Department. Temple High School received the honor during a workshop hosted by Temple College Tuesday morning (July 28).
Temple High School was honored for innovation in its dual credit partnership with Temple College. The Temple HS counseling team worked with Temple College to create an early enrollment initiative designed to reduce stress, remove barriers, and ensure that students began high school prepared to take advantage of dual credit opportunities. Temple High School counselors and Temple College dual credit staffers visited all three TISD middle schools in the spring to assist eighth graders in applying to Temple College. Getting that early start helped eliminate technology-related challenges and the presence of TISD staff also aided students in locating information needed to complete the application process. Temple High School counselors also hosted several dual credit family information nights to provide insight into dual credit opportunities available to students before starting the application process.
“It is a true honor, and we see it as a multitude of people winning this award,” said Kristi Burke, College and Career Advisor for Temple High School. “There was a village of people who worked on this, not just one person. That includes our middle school counselors, who played a huge role in the new initiative. I am still shocked.”
“It is very rewarding to know that someone else sees all of our hard work,” added Allison Medrano, Lead Counselor Temple High School. “So much of what we do is behind the scenes, and we don’t always get to see the fruits of that labor, so this is a pleasant surprise.”
The goal of the new initiative was to reduce barriers, engage families, and create a seamless transition from middle school to high school. Temple College cited the innovation of Temple High School’s desire to meet students where they are, provide personalized support before challenges emerged, and demonstrate that student success begins long before the first day of high school as reasons for naming Temple High School the department’s High School of the Year.
“We are just trying to remove the barriers for our students because sometimes they think they can’t do it,” said Burke. “Being able to offer dual credit in an environment where it is taught by our teachers, allows our students to succeed in a college course. That can lead to them trying another college course, and then eventually a degree.”
“This offers an opportunity that is built within the school day to provide an opportunity that is not always available otherwise,” Medrano said. “That can boost confidence in some students who might not have college on their radar for one reason or another. It gives them a taste of success before they move on to whatever is next.”
The High School of the Year recognition was one of several innovator awards presented by Temple College’s Dual Credit Department during the workshop.