Leander ISD is charting a new, sustainable path forward for Early College High School (ECHS), focusing plans on co-locating the campus with New Hope High School at the former Faubion Elementary site. The proposed move would provide ECHS students with a permanent, custom-designed learning environment in lieu of the current temporary portables. While the two programs would share the same property and benefit from thoughtful connections between the programs, each would continue to have its own distinct academic spaces, program identity and student experience. The intent is to create opportunities for connection and shared resources while preserving what makes ECHS unique.

What’s Guiding a New Direction

The co-location plan marks a shift from an earlier concept of building a standalone ECHS facility at Austin Community College’s (ACC) San Gabriel campus, where ECHS currently operates. Several factors were considered:

  • Permanency: Currently operating in portable facilities, the move will provide ECHS with a dedicated, long-term home campus. 
  • Long-term capital capacity: Construction was not included in the 2023 Bond. Co-location allows the district to build with access to 2023 Bond repurposing funds, while preserving future bonding capacity for aging facilities across the district.
  • New academic opportunities: The Faubion site’s proximity to ACC’s Cypress Creek campus gives students additional opportunities for college collaboration, shared resources and authentic higher-education experiences.
  • Greater sustainability: Co-locating allows ECHS and New Hope to share appropriate resources. The central location also makes the program more broadly accessible for students across the district.

Prioritizing the Student and Staff Experience

Despite being housed on the Faubion site, ECHS and New Hope High School will maintain separate academic spaces, dedicated identities and distinct school cultures. District leaders are prioritizing the small-school environment, close-knit community and unique identity that define the student and staff experience at ECHS as the design process begins.

Future-focused Planning

The direction for ECHS exemplifies the type of long-range planning LISD is exploring. Through the initiative Leander ISD 2037, the district is focused on aligning facilities, programs and resources to expand opportunities students and families value. Led by Civic Solutions Group (CSG), Leander ISD will identify a set of priorities that help support thriving schools. You can participate in a survey that helps guide the work.

Next Steps and Timeline

Pfluger Architects and administrators will collaborate with a campus design committee and focus group engaging with students, families and staff to ensure the new ECHS facility and programming preserves the academic opportunities, culture and identity that make ECHS successful.

Meanwhile, district administrators are continuing conversations with ACC to work through the logistics of a partnership with the ACC Cypress Creek campus.

Construction could begin as soon as Spring 2028, with the new ECHS facility ready to welcome students as early as Fall 2029.