The University of Toledo and Toledo Public Schools partnered together to transform the Driscoll Center to be the new location for Toledo Early College High School (TECHS).
Leaders will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated building 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 17, at the Driscoll Center, located on the corner of West Bancroft Street and University Hills Boulevard. Face masks and social distancing are required at the closed event.
The $3.5 million renovation on the two-story building, which was jointly funded by UToledo and TPS, created 20 classrooms and a dining and multipurpose room with a prep kitchen for Toledo Early College High School.
TECHS students started attending classes in the building Thursday, Feb. 25.
“The University is happy to continue our long-standing partnership with TPS and welcome high school students onto Main Campus,” President Gregory Postel said. “We’re excited these students will be more integrated into the campus community. It will provide them with opportunities to experience the college atmosphere.”
In 2019, UToledo and TPS approved a long-term lease agreement to move Toledo Early College from its former location on the Scott Park Campus.
“We are excited that not only are our students at Toledo Early College returning to in-person learning, but they’re also returning to a new and beautifully upgraded facility,” said Dr. Romules Durant, TPS superintendent. “This location puts students directly on campus, which further immerses them in the collegiate experience.
“We continue to be grateful for our partnership with UToledo on behalf of TPS and its students. As a graduate of both TPS and UToledo, I am incredibly proud of the strides we’ve made together for TECHS.”
The $3.5 million renovation on the two-story building, which was jointly funded by UToledo and TPS, created 20 classrooms and a dining and multipurpose room with a prep kitchen. The 300-seat auditorium remains in place for school assemblies and other large events.
TECHS is a college preparatory program developed by TPS in 2005 for students in 7th to 12th grades that focuses on college readiness with curriculum designed to accelerate students into college courses at UToledo. More than half of the high school graduates go on to continue their education at UToledo.
In the last four years, 144 graduates of Toledo Early College High School chose to attend UToledo for college.
