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At its early college high school programs, New Frontiers Public Schools offers students the opportunity to attend high school and begin their college journey at the same time.
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We invite all families to apply now for the upcoming school year and explore everything our school has to offer. Don’t miss out—apply online today to secure your child’s place! Students who will be in 9th or 10th grade in the 2024–25 school year can apply for enrollment at Frank L. Madla Early College High School and Imelda Davis Early College High School. At Greg A. Garcia Early College Intermediate, they are enrolling students for grades 6–8.
TEA Report Grade: B
*Learn more about this report.
San Antonio, Texas 78209
Through our partnership with Palo Alto College, our Frank L. Madla Early College High School offers a college immersion program where students are embedded in college courses with other college students. Each student earns their Distinguished High School Diploma and...
Founded in 1998, New Frontiers Public Schools is one of the longest-established public charter school networks in San Antonio. Known primarily for their success in early college programs, the district has refocused its mission to expand the early college experience in grades 6–12.
In partnership with Palo Alto College (part of the Alamo Colleges District), New Frontiers operates Frank L. Madla Early College High School (FLMECHS), an A-rated early college high school program. In 2018, the first graduating class of FLMECHS students crossed the stage, having earned not only their high school diplomas but their associate’s degree. Frank L. Madla, Jr. was an educator and state legislator who advocated for education and for economic development in San Antonio.
Early college high schools are innovative schools that provide an opportunity for students to earn a distinguished high school diploma and an associate degree. The schools provide college tuition at no cost to students, and offer rigorous instruction and accelerated high school courses. They also provide academic and social support services to help students succeed, increase college readiness, and reduce barriers to college access.
In August 2022, the district opened the Imelda Davis Early College High School (IDECHS) in partnership with San Antonio College. The school offers education pathways in three career fields: nursing, information technology, and education. Imelda Davis was a beloved community leader who touched many lives through her work at the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
At IDECHS, students have real, hands-on experiences to supplement their coursework. School leaders are seeking internships with private sector IT partners to allow students to gain professional experience. Education-tracked students gain critical classroom experience as New Frontiers Public Schools explores the use of district campuses as laboratory schools. They are also exploring a non-traditional school day schedule.
In August 2023, New Frontiers Public Schools opened the Greg A. Garcia Early College Intermediate (GAGECI) in a brand new facility near Palo Alto College. The middle school program, for grades 6–8, serves as a feeder campus for families interested in pursuing an early college high school experience. The campus model aims to provide an environment where scholars gain the necessary skills and experiences that will lay the foundation for their success in early college. Greg Garcia is a higher education advocate and staff/alumnus of the Texas A&M University System.
To learn more about New Frontiers Public Schools in the news, we recommend that you click on the articles listed at the bottom of this post. Also, we invite you to join the San Antonio Charter Moms discussion group on Facebook and ask questions; the group includes families with experience at early college programs with New Frontiers who can comment with answers based on their own experiences.
In 2024–25, New Frontiers will operate two early college high school programs, as well as a middle school. New Frontiers earned a A on its district report card; school report cards are linked below.
First Day: August 19, 2024
Last Day: May 29, 2025
Watch Dr. Monica Villarreal, Principal at Greg A. Garcia Early College Intermediate, and Mayra Cuevas, Instructional Coach at Greg A. Garcia Early College Intermediate, speak with Inga Cotton on Charter Moms Chats on September 19, 2023 at 4:00 PM Central live on Facebook and YouTube.
Jeff Flores is the founding Principal of Imelda Davis Early College High School, an open enrollment charter school where high school students have the opportunity to simultaneously earn their high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree (60 credits) from San Antonio College at no cost. Mr. Flores also has experience as Principal at Frank L. Madla Early College High School, Principal at Henry Ford Academy: Alameda School for Art + Design; as Director of School Operations, Planning, and Accountability for the National Council of La Raza (NCLR); and as a Field Service Agent for the Educational Service Center, Region 20. In addition, he has been a teacher, coach, and school administrator overseeing and developing curriculum and instruction, special education, discipline, and guidance counseling programs. Mr. Flores holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Government with an emphasis on Southwestern Studies, as well as a Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Our Lady of the Lake University. He also holds a certificate in Non-Profit Management and Leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio, as well as a Master’s in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Kathy Rodriguez is the Vice President of the board of New Frontiers Public Schools. In her professional life, Ms. Rodriguez is the Deputy Historic Preservation Officer for the City of San Antonio. She is a forward-thinking professional with extensive experience leading all facets of City/departmental operations, managing cultural heritage, neighborhood revitalization programs, budgets, and establishing innovative methods of community engagement.
She has a history of success directing nationally recognized municipal programs like the Living Heritage Trades Academy and the Vacant Building Program; and building effective professional relationships with community partners and city departments.
Kathy is well-versed in the implementation of new department programs and services by recommending and administering policies and procedures. She is known for cultivating partnerships mutually beneficial to settle deficiencies and strengthen capacities. Astute in monitoring and evaluating service delivery methods and processes, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective action plans, Kathy has a strong background in team management providing leadership and strategic direction.
She has established and led innovative neighborhood engagement programs with a focus to increase public participation of diverse communities. She serves her local community as Vice-President of the New Frontiers Public Schools Board of Trustees. While others may take pride in meeting all standards set before them, her passion is for delivering service that goes beyond expectations, striving to build and leverage working relationships to bring forth the best outcomes for communities.
At Frank L. Madla Early College High School, a key element in helping students succeed is providing college advising that helps them assess their current status, set ambitious goals, and make a realistic plan to get there. They also believe in commemorating and celebrating the steps along the way—the Madla Milestones.
The culture at FLMECHS recognizes that students need lots of friends and allies, including peers, counselors, teachers, and professors, to make the journey through high school and college. During the early months of the pandemic, when campuses were closed and students participated in distance learning, advisors at FLMECHS encouraged every student to build a friend tree. Like a family tree, a friend tree is a chart showing interconnected friendships and circles of support. When students were physically separated, the friend tree reminded them that they were not alone, and encouraged them to connect with each other virtually.
Palo Alto College, part of the Alamo Colleges District, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, is the 2019 Rising Star winner of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. With over 11,000 students, Palo Alto College is accredited to offer associate degrees and short-term certificates. The college is located on the Southside of San Antonio at 1400 W. Villaret Blvd. at I-410 and Texas Hwy 16.
San Antonio College is the 2021 winner of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, recognizing it as the number one community college in the nation. It is part of the Alamo Colleges District and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. It provides high quality general education, liberal arts and sciences, career path education, continuing education and developmental education. One of the largest single-campus community colleges in the state and nation, SAC enrolls approximately 20,000 students each semester and awards more than 5,000 degrees and certificates each year. The college is located just north of downtown San Antonio in the Tobin Hill area, bounded roughly by San Pedro Ave., Cypress St., Main Ave., and Ashby Pl.
New Frontiers Public Schools is building on its success in early college high school programs by expanding its partnerships with community colleges in the Alamo Colleges District. These programs provide advice and mentorship to high school students, and give them access to college coursework so they can make faster progress towards their career goals. We encourage you apply for enrollment now. You are also welcome to join the San Antonio Charter Moms discussion group to learn more and interact with current families who have students enrolled in early college high school programs with New Frontiers Public Schools and the Alamo Colleges District.
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