HIDALGO EARLY COLLEGE H S

1,083 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

Hidalgo Early College High School (HECHS), located in Hidalgo, Texas, is a specialized secondary institution within the Hidalgo Independent School District. The school is designed to bridge the gap between high school and higher education by allowing students to earn both their high school diploma and up to 60 hours of tuition-free college credit—often an Associate’s Degree—simultaneously. By partnering with local colleges, the school provides a rigorous academic environment that prepares students for the demands of university-level coursework while they are still in a supportive high school setting.

The school’s philosophy centers on increasing college access and completion rates for students, particularly those who might be the first in their families to pursue higher education. Through its "Early College" model, HECHS focuses on personalized instruction, academic discipline, and a seamless transition to post-secondary institutions. With a mission rooted in student success and empowerment, the campus fosters a culture of high expectations, aiming to equip its graduates with the essential skills and academic credentials needed to thrive in a competitive professional world.

1,083

Total Students

77.6

Full-Time Teachers

14.0

Student/Teacher Ratio

81.5%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for HIDALGO EARLY COLLEGE H S
Demographic	Student Count
White	1
Hispanic	1,082

Hispanic
1,082 (99.9 %)
White
1 (0.1 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	N/A
Shared Time Status:	N/A
District:	HIDALGO ISD
Phone:	(956)843-4301
Website:	http://hechs.hidalgo-isd.org/
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	1,083
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	77.6
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	14.0
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	877
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	6

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 9 307

Grade 10 301

Grade 11 244

Grade 12 231