Early this year, the ASPIRA Early College High School officially opened at NEIU's El Centro Campus, located on the northwest side of Chicago just four miles south of the main campus. This is the third ASPIRA School Campus and its mission is to provide a high quality secondary education leading to a high school diploma and dual-enrollment/early college opportunities for Chicago's at-risk youth.

The ASPIRA Early College High School is the first early college high school in Illinois to partner with a 4-year university. Through it's partnership with NEIU, ASPIRA Early College students can earn up to two years of college credits. The dual-enrollment program will ensure that all students graduate prepared to successfully complete college-level work.

ASPIRA is a nonprofit organization devoted to the education and leadership development of Latino Youth. The Illinois chapter of ASPIRA was founded by NEIU Alumna Mirta Ramirez. Over the years, Ramirez and ASPIRA have helped create opportunities for hundreds of Latino youth in the Chicagoland area.