La Porte community members received a glimpse of the new La Porte Independent School District (LPISD) San Jacinto College Center for dual enrollment high school students during an open house on Thursday, March 31, 2011.

The Center, located at 732 South Broadway in La Porte, was once the LPISD administration building and is now home to six classrooms and an office. San Jacinto College (SJC) and La Porte ISD partnered together to customize the dual credit curriculum, which includes instruction by SJC faculty and support from the La Porte center coordinator Judy Flynn.

Lloyd W. Graham, La Porte ISD superintendent of schools, said the Center paves the way for first-time college students by encouraging them to pursue their journey in higher education.

"The opportunity to attend classes in an authentic college environment while still in high school helps demystify the experience and alleviate any apprehension they may feel with regard to making this transition," said Graham. "It is our hope that this low-risk exposure to higher-level instruction will yield a lifetime of return for our students."

COMPASS® or TAKS test scores are evaluated to determine if a student is eligible for dual credit status. Once accepted, a student's tuition and books are paid for by La Porte ISD. Approximately 200 students have already enrolled through SJC at La Porte High School (LPHS). Scheduling for LPHS dual credit senior students remain similar to what is already in place at their school, complete with opportunities to fully participate in extracurricular activities.

"We are delighted to partner with LPISD and work to build a college going community in La Porte," said Dr. Neil Matkin, president of the San Jacinto College Central campus.

The La Porte dual enrollment program through SJC will expand in Fall 2011 to include qualified juniors who will take history and psychology or sociology dual credit courses.