Application FAQ's

1. You must be 16 years old by the time PCC classes start. Check the PCC calendar for the exact date.​ ECHS cannot make exceptions to the rule.
2. When classes start, you must be (1) a junior or (2) a senior who will not have sufficient credits be able to graduate on time with their senior class.
3. You must live within the Beaverton School District attendance boundaries or within a partner district (currently Hillsboro SD and Tigrard Tualatin SD).
4. Check the Timeline for Admission for each term. Given the level of interest in ECHS, application deadlines are not flexible.

Both PCC and ECHS require applicants to take (1) a reading placement test and (2) a math placement test. 

1. The reading placement test is called ACCUPLACER. PCC uses the results from the reading placement test in order to place students in both reading and writing courses. A sufficient reading placement is required for the majority of PCC classes. In order to qualify for ECHS an applicant must place into Reading 115 (or higher) and Writing 115 (or higher). PCC and ECHS require students to take ACCUPLACER at a PCC Testing Center.
2. The math placement test is called ALEKS. In order to qualify for ECHS, you must place into Math 60 (or higher). PCC allows students to take the ALEKS test off-site on any computer with an Internet connection. However, Early College High School requires that prospective students take the test at a PCC Testing Center. In order to verify that the ALEKS math placement test was taken at a PCC Testing Center, ECHS must have testing center staff sign the "Onsite Math Testing Verification Form". 
   • Download the "Onsite Math Testing Verification Form". Take this form with you to the testing Center.
   • All PCC campuses require you to pay for parking on weekdays, even on the streets. Parking is free on weekends, though only some PCC Testing Centers are open on the weekends.
   • When you arrive to take the ALEKS math test, let the Testing Center staff know that you are applying to ECHS and give them the Onsite Math Testing Verification Form. Don't forget to take the completed form with you when you leave! Scan the form to a PDF document so that you can upload it with your ECHS application. (The system will also accept a picture (jpg) of the form. If accepted, you will turn the original form in to ECHS at the mandatory Registration Meeting.
   • At the beginning of the ALEKS math placement test, the computer will ask you for your PCC User ID and your PCC Password. It will also ask which math class you plan to take. Most students should select "Math 060". Be aware that ALEKS will test your math abilities to the highest level math class offered at PCC. For that reason don't be discouraged if it seems that you don't know all the answers to questions on the test.​
3. ​Note that a prospective student may go to a PCC Testing Center on ANY campus. Each testing center has its own schedule. Some require appointments, though most take drop-in's. Be sure to check the PCC Testing Center's webpage for days of operation, times, and appointments.
   • When visiting the testing center, be sure to bring (1) photo identification (a student ID or Oregon Driver's License/Permit have been accepted in the past), (2) the Onsite Math Testing Verification Form, (3) your PCC G-Number, (4) your PCC User ID, and (5) your PCC Password.
   • Students can take both tests consecutively or on different days if they prefer. For most students the ACCUPLACER English test typically takes 45 minutes to complete. The ALEKS math test can take between 1 and 3 hours to complete.
4. ​You can find more information about placement tests and some sample questions and study opportunities at PCC's Placement Test webpage.

(It is possible to re-take the placement tests, however, PCC may require a student to complete an online tutorial designed help a student improve their scores before the 2nd attempt.)

1. ​As you complete each placement test, you will be shown your raw numerical score, which you can ignore. Within about an hour, you will receive an email in your MyPCC email account stating your actual placement. Login at my.pcc.edu and click on the mail icon in the upper right hand corner to read your placement test results.

The recommendation is one of the most important factors considered in ECHS admissions!

1. ​Download the "Recommendation Request Form".
2. Complete this form and give it to your high school counselor or AVID elective teacher to complete.
3. Home schooled or applicants not currently enrolled in school may have an adult NOT in the immediate family who is familiar with their educational background complete the recommendation.
4. Note that the Recommendation Request Form does not need to be turned in to ECHS. It is only used as an aid for the person completing the recommendation.
5. Give the person completing the recommendation at least 2 weeks advance notice before the application deadline! 
6. If you provide an accurate email address on the Recommendation Request Form, you will receive an email confirmation when the recommendation is received by ECHS.
7. An application is not considered complete without a recommendation. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that ECHS receives it in a timely manner.

When you apply, you will be required to submit short essays answering the following questions:

1. Write a short narrative introducing yourself to us so that we may get to know you better.  Feel free to include things like your personality, character traits and why you feel you are ready for the college environment?
2. Why are you interested in attending Early College High School and how does ECHS fit in to your future goals?  Please give specific examples.
3. ​Is there anything about you or your situation that you would like us to know or that we should take into consideration?

After the counselor recommendation, your essays are the second most important factor considered in ECHS admissions.

1. ​Ask your high school counselor for an electronic copy.
2. You will need information on your transcript to answer some questions on the application.
3. You will also be asked to upload a PDF of your transcript.
4. Your high school grades, attendance, credits earned, and conduct record is the third most important factor in ECHS admissions. A strong recommendation and insightful essays can overcome issues from prior semesters on the transcript.

1. You will receive an admissions decision from Early College High School by email approximately 2-4 weeks after the admissions window closes. The exact date is posted on the Timeline page.
2. Due to the confidential nature of the recommendation and the volume of applications ECHS typically receives, feedback will not be given on individual applications or admission decisions.​

​If admitted, new students must attend two mandatory meetings:

1. Registration Meeting: At this meeting new students learn how to register for classes. Both the new student and a parent/guardian must attend. The following documents must be signed and collected at the meeting. Newly admitted families are encouraged to review these documents in advance. Copies of the latest editions of these forms will be distributed at the meeting, so it is not necessary to sign them in advance.​
   • ​Community Guidelines​
   • Waiver of Liability​
   • Transportation Release
   • ECHS Handbook Review​
   • College Expectations​​
2. Orientation Meeting: This meeting usually occurs the week before classes start. The purpose of this meeting is to connect new students with their ECHS mentor (a current student) and prepare new students for the first days of college. Check the ECHS Calendar​ for the exact dates of these meetings.

​Choosing not to attend either of these mandatory events may result in a student's admission to ECHS being rescinded or deferred.