Both of the Crawford County R-1 and R-2 school districts partner with East Central College (ECC) for a program called Early College Academy (ECA) which allows high school juniors and seniors to get an early start on college coursework.

Four students from Bourbon High School and three students from Cuba High School are enrolled in ECA for the current school year.

The partnership between the college and the high school began in 2023 for ECA.

Superintendents and counselors from the two districts believe that the ECA program provides a unique opportunity for students.

Crawford County R-2 Superintendent Dr. Scott Davidson provided information for ECA for Cuba High School students.

“We’ve got an agreement with East Central Community College there for our early college academy students,” said Davidson. “Students could actually get credits for both our high school credits as well as college credits to East Central.”

Crawford R-2 takes a maximum of four students per year.

The district pays for part of students’ books and tuition. In the fall the district paid $1,269.86 toward books and $3,202 for tuition. For the spring semester the district spent $922.08 for books and $3,150 for tuition.

“To get into that program, they go through an application and then once selected, there’s orientation with the parents, so the parents know expectations,” said Davidson.

Counselor Tonya Hulbert at Cuba High School commented on dual enrollment programs.

“I think they’re great programs for the students,” said Hulbert.

She also mentioned that about 40 students are using dual credit through ECC, but the district does not pay the college for dual credit classes, just ECA.

Students who graduate from ECC and their respective high school earn an associate’s degree and their high school diploma upon successful completion.

Crawford R-1 paid approximately $14,660 directly to ECC for the ECA program. Crawford R-1 Board of Education Secretary Danielle Waldron said that they’re on track to spend approximately $12,308 for the current school year.

Trish Lewis, college and career advisor at Bourbon High School talked about the history R-1 has with ECA.

“We started in the fall 2023 with two students,” said Lewis. “They are both now enrolled in Mizzou and pre-veterinary and pre-med programs.”

Alyvia Helm and Raylee Bartle were the two students she was referring too. They graduated from Bourbon High School last May and were the first graduates of the R-1 ECA program.

“ECA students boost their college readiness by being able to take advanced classes that we cannot offer in a high school setting,” said Lewis. “This highly selective program has been a wonderful addition for our Warhawks.”

Superintendent Dr. Brian Witt commented on the ECA program.

“It’s wonderful and fully support it and can’t wait to expand it, great for our community, our students,” said Witt.

Applications are needed for the ECA program for students that are interested.

Bourbon requires that eligible students have a 3.5 GPA or higher, be college placement ready as determined by ECC’s Placement Test, have a strong attendance record, undergo an official review of a student’s disciplinary record, a completed ECA application that includes a personal essay and statement written by the student, and a signed agreement to meet the expectations and responsibilities of Early College Academy.

Bourbon’s deadline for application closed on Jan. 30. 

Cuba requires that students must have a 3.25 GPA or higher. Prospective students in their sophomore year are eligible to apply. The application for admission is the same after the GPA requirement.

Eligible Cuba students are still able to apply for ECA until March 6 and applications are due to Hulbert. Current ECA student from Cuba High School Baylee Weber talked about her experience.

“It’s been a really good experience, I appreciate the opportunity to come here and if I had the opportunity again, I would take it all over,” said Weber. 

She explained why she went through the program.

“You are able to get your high school diploma and associate’s degree at the same time,” said Weber. “My favorite thing I would takeaway from this is, I love the community here, it’s a really friendly community, I’ve made a lot of friends here, I joined clubs that have amazing people in them, it’s just a great community, great environment.”

She plans on joining the Air Force after graduation.