Early College High School students are preparing to officially compete in Academic University Interscholastic League events for the 2025–26 school year.

Sophomore Arawan A. is one of many students excited to hit the ground running.

“It’s taken so long to get here,” she said. “If I don’t get to compete next year, I don’t know what I’ll do!”

ECHS was approved to participate in two UIL invitationals this spring and will gain full membership in District 25 this fall, joining the five other high schools in Round Rock ISD. 

Robin Forrester, special education teacher and UIL coordinator for ECHS, spearheaded the initiative to bring Academic UIL events to the campus. 

“I initially started it to give the students access to additional enrichment,” said Forrester. “I participated in Academic UIL back in my day… it was a huge part of my high school experience! I wanted to bring that here for them.”

Forrester said Academic UIL gives her students additional opportunities for scholarships and is another thing they can put on their college resumes. Despite limited preparation time, students competed in four events this year: science, spelling, number sense, and ready writing.

Junior Alexander P. said the experience was a humbling reminder that there’s always more to learn. 

“UIL helped me realize I don’t know everything, and that’s a good thing,” he said.

The program has already begun to foster school spirit and a sense of community, bolstered by weekly snack-filled meetings.

“It’s definitely helped create Owl pride in our school,” said sophomore Lorelei K. “Feeling like you’re doing well at a competition is great! If we can do better next year, maybe it would give us something to celebrate throughout the whole campus.”

Looking ahead, ECHS plans to compete in more invitationals, the district meets, and even try out new events like speech and debate. They also hope to double student involvement and start a robotics team.

Students will be able to take part in these new academic challenges in their newly built campus. The school is the last to be built from the 2018 Bond. Its completion is anticipated for early 2026.