Brian Holman founded Empower College Prep (ECP), the values-based, tuition-free K-12 public school in 2012 to prepare an underserved population of students for college and the life of opportunity higher education offers them. ECP has grown from sixty-one 4th and 5th graders meeting in a church basement to more than 1000 preschool-12th grade students attending classes on a 5-acre state-of-the-art campus right off the Black Canyon Freeway.
Brian graduated summa cum laude from Indiana University with a BA in journalism, majoring in political science and minoring in Spanish and criminal justice. He earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in administration from the University of Phoenix.
What Inspired You to Found ECP?
“I believe every child is created for a purpose. During the 6 years I taught 8th grade social studies, I met over 1,000 children who proved this to be true. Although many of my students had experienced failure and developed apathy toward school, deep down they longed to be known and to experience success. One year with them was not enough time. I realized I had to begin with students at an early age and stay with them all the way to college to instill in them the sense of purpose and hope that comes through applying foundational values to everyday life. I founded Empower College Prep to inspire students from the earliest grades through high school to go to college and change the world.”
What’s Unique about ECP
“This is a school that feels like a family. At ECP our scholars are safe, happy, and successful because we focus on relationships.”
“We want to change the way school is done in America with every student given the opportunity to receive an education based on a set of 7 core values that empower them to change the world. We may speak multiple languages and have various abilities, but what brings us together amidst all our diversity are our common values.”
How is ECP Fulfilling its Mission?
“Empower College Prep has always been more than a school. We are a movement of teachers partnering with parents to transform the educational opportunities of their children, and to empower these children to transform their community, their country, and their world.
“Since 2020 when we celebrated our first high school graduation, we have seen 90% of our graduates enroll in college year after year, far exceeding state and national norms. As they complete their college educations, ECP alumni are entering fields like medicine, education, engineering, chemistry, and law enforcement. It’s exciting to see them fulfill the dreams they prepared for while here.
Meet Brian Holman at our monthly round-up. We’re here every second Saturday every month from 9:30am – 11:30am. Email or call our Recruitment Coordinator Brianda Ortega, brianda.ortega@empowercollegeprep.org, (602) 525-0402 to reserve your spot.
About Empower College Prep
Start your college journey at Empower College Prep (ECP), the values-based, tuition-free college preparatory school serving Kindergarten-12th grade. Preschool is also available on-site. ECP has been offering rigorous academics, inspiring co-curriculars and electives and competitive sports to K-12 students in central Phoenix since 2012, preparing scholars to succeed in college, solve real-world problems, and maximize their impact in the world. Prepare for your future at Empower. Now enrolling. Find us at empowercollegeprep.org. Follow us on Facebook.
