By Eric Martin
When you look at school options for your child in the Permian Basin, there’s no shortage of schools. But if you zoom in on the south side of Midland, you’ll notice a gap in high schools focused on preparing students for college. Families deserve the best regardless of what part of town they live in, and that’s where we at IDEA Travis College Preparatory come in. IDEA Travis College Prep is one of the city’s newest high schools and has one mission: to send students not just to — but through — college.
That mission brought me to IDEA Public Schools, particularly to IDEA Travis College Preparatory. I was born and raised in Chicago, where I attended public schools, which did not set me up for success. When I started college, I quickly realized I was not prepared and had a big wake-up call: either I get my head in the game or drop out. I worked extra hard and was able to graduate from college. But ever since, I vowed to give other students like me the opportunities that I did not have.
As the new principal at IDEA Travis College Preparatory, my mission is to ensure every student is ready to go to college and beyond. As our school’s name suggests, we operate under a college preparatory model. That means every day, no matter what grade our students are in, they continue to take another step toward their goals. Starting with our youngest students at IDEA Travis Academy, our teachers and counselors offer personalized support to our students throughout their career in IDEA as they transition to IDEA Travis College Preparatory to set themselves up for success when applying to colleges. They meet with their students to find out what they’re interested in studying, where they’d like to attend college, and what profession they’re interested in, so we can help guide them throughout the process.
In the ninth grade, our students begin taking the “Road to and Through College” course, which focuses on what they’ll need to work towards to achieve their college goals. They are required to take at least one Advanced Placement (AP) course to become even more accustomed to the academic rigor required in college. But the work doesn’t stop there. For many of our students, college could be a financial burden, but we work to ensure it doesn’t have to be. Our counselors help guide students and their families in applying for financial aid and scholarships to help make the process as easy as possible. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of IDEA’s teachers and staff, and we are excited to take that same recipe for success and share it with our students right here in Midland. Our first senior class will be the Class of 2027, and preparations are already underway to ensure they are set up for the greatest success possible. I can’t wait to be part of the journey.
I have spent the last decade in education and am passionate about helping students succeed. In my new role as a campus principal, I want to help them thrive and hope that one day, they will also inspire future generations. As I walk the hallways and greet and meet my students, I tell them the first stop to achieving their dreams is here at IDEA Travis College Prep, and the next stop is the world.
Eric Martin is the Principal at IDEA Travis College Preparatory. He previously served as Regional Director of Operations in Permian Basin. IDEA Public Schools operates 145 public charter schools serving nearly 87,000 students in Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, and Florida. IDEA Public Schools opened in 2000 and serves students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
