HOUSTON (May 31, 2012) – State Sen. Dan Patrick visited Lone Star College-University Park May 23 to tour the new iSchool High at University Park and visit with students and administrators.
iSchool High at University Park is a charter high school on site where college-ready high school students are able to take dual credit classes toward an associate degree from LSC-University Park, while simultaneously completing high school course requirements. It is one of 52 campuses across the state that is part of Responsive Education Solutions, a nonprofit organization based in Dallas.
The partnership between Lone Star College and ResponsiveEd aims to have all iSchool High students receive their high school diploma while simultaneously earning up to 60 college hours of credit.
“Students can apply these college hours toward an associate degree or the first two years of a four year degree” said Dr. Michael Laird, principal of iSchool High.
Sen. Patrick met with students who shared with him how they have been challenged and prepared for academic success. The high school course work is setup in modules allowing students to work at their own pace facilitated by faculty.
“This learning environment has not only taught me academically but also made me accountable for my progress and success” said Daniel Kerwood, a student attending iSchool High.
“Students have accepted the challenge of being self-reliant by working independently. We are motivated to achieve and are rewarded for our accomplishments,” said Joshua March, iSchool High and LSC-University Park dual credit student.
This new model of collaboration between iSchool High and Lone Star College “offers one of the greatest opportunities for students in Texas and the nation,” said Sen. Patrick.
“I get excited when I see real innovation at work,” he said.
“The core of our mission is providing affordable access to quality education and training,” said Shah Ardalan, chief executive officer of LSC-University Park. “The partnership with ResponsiveEd is an excellent and critical addition in offering comprehensive educational prospects to our community from ninth grade to workforce certificates, as well as associate, bachelor’s and graduate degrees in more than 60 disciplines.
“LSC-University Park has been designed to fully align with the needs of the community and by offering innovative and transformative opportunities from education to careers; LSC-University Park is the model for the community college of the 21st century. We are one location with many opportunities,” said Ardalan.
Responsive Education Solutions (ResponsiveEd), Texas’ largest public charter school holder, operates more than 50 public school campuses located throughout the state of Texas, including Premier High Schools, Vista Academies, Quest Middle School, iSchool High, Founders Classical Academy and Texas Virtual Academy. ResponsiveEd schools are high quality, free public charter schools that serve at-risk students and students on college preparatory tracks. To learn more, visit ResponsiveEd.com.
With 75,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball, and LSC-University Park, five centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.
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