Admissions

INCOMING FRESHMAN

You have a choice to make your high school experience fit you and your way of learning. Students at Memorial Early College High school take dual credit courses through a partnership with Northeast Lakeview College in San Antonio to earn an Associates of Arts degree before graduating high school. If you are interested in a hands-on, collaborative way to problem solve, no matter where you reside in Comal ISD, MECHS will help accelerate your learning and prepare you for a lifetime of success.

The application for the 2026-27 school year will be available November 3, 2025 through February 27, 2026.

Memorial Early College High School with Northeast Lakeview College is one of Comal ISD's Schools of Choice. The open lottery process for incoming freshmen will be based on available seats to meet the requirements of the 2026-27 Early College High School Commitments and building capacity. We will continue to accept applications from out-of-district students; however, students within the Comal ISD attendance zone will have first priority. All student applications will be accepted and will be entered into the lottery process for selection.

Families of students selected in the lottery draw will be contacted via email at the beginning of March with details on attending a commitment night event. This commitment night will require both the student and at least one parent or legal guardian to attend.

For questions please call the office at (830)221-2900 or email [email protected].

Can anyone attend Memorial ECHS?

What is dual credit?

Are there any prerequisites or criteria for my student to enroll?

No. Students who enroll as freshmen do not need to have taken any specific courses in order to enroll. However, by the end of freshman year, students must pass the Reading/Writing portion of the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) so that they can enroll in the required dual credit courses at the beginning of their sophomore year. By junior year, students must pass the Math portion of the TSIA so that they can enroll in required dual credit math courses. Students must also pass all courses each year to remain on-cohort with their four-year plan.

What happens if my student does not pass the TSIA?

All students are provided a baseline TSIA opportunity at the beginning of their freshman year, with additional testing opportunities that occur throughout each school year. If students need support to reach TSIA passing scores, we have focused tutoring, advisory interventions, online resources and practice tests, and small group instruction in the content-area classroom. Unfortunately, students who do not meet TSIA criteria by the times required for continued enrollment must withdraw and return to their home campus.

What types of classes will my student be taking?

Can students take classes in the summer to get ahead and graduate early?

Will my student attend classes on the Northeast Lakeview College (NLC) campus?

What types of academic resources are available for my student?

What type of college degree will my student be getting?

Can my student choose another major besides an Associates of Arts?

Do we ever have to pay for anything for Dual Credit?

Does my student have to start in their freshman year? Can they start later?

Students are accepted as a cohort their freshman year and begin the four-year academic program that is designed to complete their high school diploma and Associate Degree. We will continue to accept students who apply into the cohort before the start of their 10th grade year, however specific criteria is required. We accept new students in grades 10-12 only if the student is transferring from another Early College High School or an equivalent, and if that student’s course plan significantly aligns to the Memorial ECHS course plan.

Do you accept out-of-district students?

My student doesn’t live in Comal ISD, will transportation be provided?

Do you have athletics, theater, choir, band, etc?

No. We are not able to offer athletics or performing arts as part of our student scheduling. Our four-year plan supports a strong visual arts program, with students annually earning top honors in Visual Arts Scholastic Events (VASE). Students also have the opportunity to join and compete in events such as UIL Academics, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Robotics, Debate, Cyber Patriots, Intramural Sports, Fencing, Bowling, Honor Guard and eSports.

Can my student participate in athletics or performing arts at their home high school?

What types of clubs and organizations do you have?

I heard that Memorial ECHS students learn through project-based learning, what is that?