In 2005, the percentage of Canton City's young adults with some college or an associate degree was 33%. In addition, only 12.5% of its adults had earned a bachelor's degree or higher, and 81% of its students were in poverty. Canton's poorest neighborhoods needed a compelling example that college was possible. In response, the Canton City School District, Stark State College, the Canton Professional Educators Association and the Stark Education Partnership came together in 2005 to establish Timken Early College High School (TECHS) (formerly known as Canton Early College High School). From the onset, TECHS was envisioned not just as a school, but as a culture shifting community "proof-point" that low income, first generation, inner city students can be successful with college-level work. Further, TECHS has afforded students an opportunity to earn both a diploma and an associate degree during their high school career. Five hundred forty two students have graduated TECHS since 2009. Nearly all of the 73 members of the graduating class of 2018 were from populations underrepresented in higher education. Of the 2018 class, 100% were economically disadvantaged and 44% were minorities. Further, 77% were first generation students. TECHS students continue to outperform other early college high schools across the state and nation on key indicators -- graduating high school on-time, graduating with college credit and graduating with an associate degree.