Early College Opportunities (ECO) in Santa Fe is a unique early college high school model that blends high school and college learning with hands-on career preparation. ECO is a stand-alone school within Santa Fe Public Schools focused on providing students with real-world skills and dual credit opportunities.
At the helm is Principal Joshua Rhine, who leads the school’s mission to prepare students for both higher education and meaningful careers right out of high school. ECO partners with Santa Fe Community College, the Institute of American Indian Arts, and San Juan College so that students can take college-level courses and earn dual credit, as well as industry-recognized certifications in areas like welding, automotive technology, computer science, construction, art and design, and greenhouse science.
A major recent milestone for the program was the completion and ribbon-cutting of its newly renovated campus in April 2024. The updated facility features expanded classrooms, a gym, commons area, cafeteria, and administrative spaces, enabling ECO to increase enrollment and further enhance its career-focused pathways.
ECO’s emphasis on career and technical education has led to real-world learning experiences for students. For example, ECO students participated in a construction project building “tiny homes” to test energy-efficiency standards alongside industry partners, gaining professional construction skills in the process.
Through its stand-alone structure, strong post-secondary partnerships, and focus on dual credit coursework, Early College Opportunities is an innovative model for integrating high school, college, and career preparation in a way that equips students with options and confidence as they graduate.