Mission Early College High School marked its 20th anniversary in July, celebrating two decades of an innovative educational partnership that has helped thousands of students to earn college credits and degrees while still in high school.

School leaders, alumni, educators and community partners gathered to celebrate the milestone and reflect on the impact the school has had in transforming lives as the first early college high school in the El Paso region and one of the first programs of its kind in Texas.

Hector Perez, the principal of Robert R. Rojas Elementary School, shared how attending Mission Early College not only set him on the path to earning a college degree but also paved the way for his career as an educator.

“It allowed me the opportunity to grow, not only professionally to be able to work for this district as an instructional aide, teacher, assistant principal, and now in this new role as a principal, but also on a personal note, mature at an early age, reach for my dreams, and obviously accomplish a lot of good things here with Team SISD,” Perez said.

Mission Early College was established in 2006 through a partnership between the Socorro Independent School District and El Paso Community College. Through its innovative partnership with EPCC, students can earn a high school diploma and up to 60 college credit hours or an associate degree through EPCC at the same time.

The program's success has expanded to all six comprehensive high schools in the district. In 2026, the district reached a significant milestone by awarding its 3,000th EPCC associate degree in its history.

SISD Superintendent James Vasquez said Mission Early College’s success stems from strong collaboration among educational institutions and community partners.

“We have a great relationship with El Paso Community College, President Serrata, the faculty and staff there. It is a true partnership and a true collaboration. We couldn't do it without each other. It takes strong partnerships to create something great,” Vasquez said.

The success of the collaboration comes from SISD and EPCC's commitment to creating a support system that helps high school students meet the challenge of rigorous college-level coursework while still in high school.

According to EPCC President William Serrata, Ph.D., approximately 60% of students in El Paso's early college programs earn an associate degree before graduating from high school, compared with a statewide average of about 24%.

“From my perspective, what stands out the most is the success of those students. I mean, from that first class I mentioned, 37 of them received master's degrees, five of them received doctoral degrees. You see some of the students that spoke here today and what they've achieved and what they're doing in our community. It's just absolutely amazing,” Serrata said.

During the celebration, Principal Ben Ortega highlighted the school's academic achievements, including receiving two National Blue Ribbon School designations from the US Department of Education, achieving consecutive A ratings from the Texas Education Agency, and being recognized as an Early College High School with Distinction.

“These recognitions affirm the strength of our work, but the true measure of our success is found in the lives that have been changed here. Students discovering their potential, families seeing the possibilities, and graduates stepping confidently into their futures,” Ortega said.

Dr. Kalinda Salas, a member of the school’s third graduating class, credits the support and encouragement she received at Mission Early College for expanding her opportunities, including earning a Ph.D.

Today, Salas has come full circle, teaching geology courses to the next generation of Mission Early College students.

“A lot of us do come back, and we don't leave because it's such a fantastic community that there's no point in leaving,” Salas said.

Mission Early College High School marked its 20th anniversary event photos