Next year, Dallas ISD will be opening 10 more collegiate academies in its growing partnership with Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD).

“The early college high schools are over-enrolled,” DISD Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa said at an event earlier this fall. “These schools — they are game changers — add aspiration and enthusiasm, help students earn a living wage, fill the skills gap, and fill the opportunity gap for employers.”

At the start of the 2016-17 school year, the district added seven collegiate academies, along with Pathways to Technology Early College High School (P-TECH), a first of its kind in the state of Texas, according to the district. The 10 additional academies will bring the total to 22 next school year.  

Students who attend the academies are eligible to earn 60 college credit hours or an associate’s degree, while simultaneously earning their high school diploma. 

Tuition is paid through corporate sponsorships, including Microsoft Corp., AT&T Inc., Parkland Hospital and Wells Fargo Bank, potentially saving students and their families thousands of dollars.

“We’re excited about our collaborative effort with Dallas ISD and DCCCD and to be able to help train local talent in the pipeline. We need new employees who have the education and training to hit the ground running,” Michael Peterson, regional vice president for AT&T, said at the event. “AT&T will be mentoring participating students and taking a more active role in student success and career readiness.”

Upon graduation, students have the opportunity to transfer to a four-year college or university or use their skills or go straight into the workforce.

“These collegiate academies add to existing district programs that are successfully making college a reality and supporting career-readiness even before students graduate from high school,” said Israel Cordero, chief strategic officer of Dallas ISD’s strategic initiatives and external relations department, in a news release.

There will be a Discover Dallas ISD Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 3, at the Ellis Davis Field House at  9191 S. Polk St., in Dallas. The free event will give families and students a chance to learn more about the district’s academic opportunities, including collegiate academies, early childhood programs, two-way dual-language classes, and magnet schools. 

Current eighth-graders can apply online for the collegiate academies 2016-2017 school year starting Dec. 5.  A student interview is required and those who are accepted will be notified as early as Jan. 31. A list of the academies, along with links to the online application, is available on the district’s website. 

Here’s a list of the new collegiate academies from the district including each one’s college partner and career programs: 

• W.H. Adamson Collegiate Academy, El Centro College: IT/computer information technology
• Bryan Adams High School, Eastfield College: early childhood education
• Hillcrest High School, Richland College: pre-engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering
• Justin F. Kimball High School, Mountain View College: electronics technology, advanced manufacturing mechatronics, and pre-mechanical engineering
• Lincoln High School, El Centro College: hospitality management and logistics
• Moisés E. Molina High School, Mountain View College: business administration
• North Dallas High School, Brookhaven College: computer programming and health information technology
• Sunset High School, Mountain View College & UNT Dallas: Associate of Arts transferrable to a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and bilingual education, Associate of Applied Science transferrable to a Bachelor’s degree in public health
• Wilmer-Hutchins High School, Northlake College: construction technology and energy sustainability
• W.T. White High School, Brookhaven College: business accounting and early childhood education

Delivering what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth innovation, every day. Get the Dallas Innovates e-newsletter.