DALLAS — More and more campuses are offering unique options for students across Dallas Independent School District. Many families are waiting for the opportunity to apply for many of the district’s specialty programs, knowing seating is limited and wait lists may get long.
“This is the collegiate wing,” sophomore student Billy Monroe, III pointed out as he walked the halls of Wilmer Hutchins High School. “A majority of our classes are on this hallway,” he explained.
Monroe is a student in the Wilmer Hutchins Collegiate Academy. The young scholar and varsity football player initially thought athletics would be his main interest and a way to help out his family. That was until Monroe was introduced to, and applied for, the school’s Collegiate Academy two years ago.
"The experience has been nothing short of amazing,” Monroe explained. “I’ve had the opportunity to go on field trips, have interactions with actual business owners, be able to do hands-on activities.”
Collegiate academies, magnet schools, early learning centers, and choice schools are popular options. However, seating in the programs are limited across elementary, middle, and high school host campuses.
A ‘Discover Dallas ISD” event scheduled for November 3 will allow parents a chance to begin applying to programs among more than 60 schools.
Wilmer Hutchins’ Collegiate Administrator Kerrie Barree explained, "It’s an opportunity for families and future students to come out and see all of the great programs, the magnets, the P-Techs that are in Dallas ISD.”
Barree says the popular Collegiate Academy cohort as Wilmer Hutchins allows enrolled students to earn Associates degrees, while helping save parents some money. "They will have the opportunity to save up to $30,000 while their students are gaining 60 credit hours,” Barree explained.
The “Discover Dallas ISD” event is important, as the school district continues competing with charter schools for student enrollment.
School administrators encourage parents to research all options that may be available for their children. Monroe says the early college program is already paying off for him. He is focusing on building skills for the business side of construction, in addition to playing football.
"Being a part of a program like this, gives you the opportunity to say, ok, I want to do something that little to no one has done before," he said.
The “Discover Dallas ISD” event will be held Saturday, Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fashion Industry Gallery (F.I.G.) located at 1807 Ross Avenue, Dallas 75201. To learn more about “Discover Dallas ISD," click here.