Frequently Asked Questions

The Dallas ISD P-TECH/Early College High Schools/Collegiate Academies are high schools that provide students the opportunity to earn dual credit, which is credit toward a high school diploma and college degree. By the time they complete high school, students in Dallas ISD P-TECH/Early College High Schools/Collegiate can earn up to 60 hours of free college credit and an associate degree. They partner with institutions of higher education to enable students to earn college credit.

Students attend 9th and 10th grade in the P-TECH/Early College High Schools/Collegiate Academy wing at the high school campus where they complete their basic courses and receive in-depth instruction to prepare them for college success. Beginning their junior year, students attend classes, tuition-free, on the campus of their community college partner. The district provides transportation to the partner community college campus.

A school is considered a P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) if it is designated from the Texas Education Agency, and they have industry partners that align with the campus pathways. This is the broad/generic term when referring to P-TECH campuses.

A school is considered a B-TECH if it has the same qualifications as a P-TECH, but the pathways are business related. This is a more specific term for the pathways at the specific campus, it is still a P-TECH official campus.

A school is considered an E-TECH if it has the same qualifications as a P-TECH, but the pathways are engineering related. This is a more specific term for the pathways at the specific campus, it is still a P-TECH official campus.

A school is considered an H-TECH if it has the same qualifications as a P-TECH, but the pathways are health related. This is a more specific term for the pathways at the specific campus, it is still a P-TECH official campus.

A school is considered a P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) if it is designated from the Texas Education Agency, and they have industry partners that align with the campus pathways.

P-TECH and Early College High Schools/Collegiate Academies

Dual credit programs allow high school students to enroll in college courses for credit while still in high school. College credits earned through dual credit can be applied toward high school and college graduation and can be transferred to other colleges or universities. At Dallas ISD collegiate academies/early colleges, students can earn dual credit in a number of academic areas including math, science, english, scoial studies and more.

A dual credit program benefits students in a number of ways:

• Provides a head start on postsecondary core requirements.
• Lowers the cost of college (Dallas College/UNT-Dallas/TAMU-C waive tuition for dual credit).
• Expands the variety of classes available to high school students.
• Allows access to college facilities/activities–such as fine arts performances, career development services, computer labs, college libraries, and learning skills/tutoring services.
• Provides greater opportunities for a coordinated, seamless education.
• Serves as a “controlled” introduction to college life.
• Allows for an easier transition to college.
• Builds students’ confidence and self-esteem.

We currently offer 30+ different pathway options:

• Advanced Manufacturing/Mechatronics Technology
• Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology
• Allied Health
• Business
• Business Administration
• Business and Finance
• Business Management
• Computer Assisted Drafting and Design
• Construction Technology
• Criminal Justice
• Dance Education
• Digital Multimedia Technology
• Early Childhood Education
• Electrical Engineering Technology
• Electronics Technology with Advanced Manufacturing
• Electronic Technology
• EMT Program
• Fine Arts
• Game Design
• Hospitality Management
• Internet Development Technology
• Management
• Manufacturing
• Music Education
• Music Production
• Network Administration and Support
• Personal Computer Support
• Pre-Electrical Engineering Technology
• Pre-Mechanical Engineering
• Public Health
• Public Service
• Software Programming
• Sports Management
• Visual Communications

• Accenture
• Amazon Web
• American Airlines
• Assist 4 Life Foundation
• AT&T
• Bank of America
• Baylor Scott & White
• Baylor University Medical Center
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Dallas
• BKD
• BOMA
• Bottle Rocket
• BridgeWork Partners
• Capital One
• CBRE Group, Inc.
• Celanese
• Children's Health
• Cisco Systems Inc. 
• City of Dallas - IT Department
• CodeStream Studios
• Cummings Electrical
• Cyber Secure Kids
• Dallas County Health & Human Services
• Dallas Fire - Rescue
• Dallas Health 360
• Dallas ISD - Early Learning
• Dallas ISD - Human Capital Management
• Dallas ISD - IT Department
• Dallas ISD - Police Department
• Dallas Police Department
• Dallas Zoo
• Dell
• Edmentum
• EON Reality
• Equinix
• FedEx
• Fluor
• Foundation for C.H.O.I.C.E.
• GameStop
• H&R Block
• HarozTec
• Hawkeye
• Haynes and Boone, LLP
• HCL America
• Hyatt Regency
• IBM
• Istation
• J & M Plastics Inc. 
• Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. (JLL)
• JPMorgan Chase & Co
• Legend Networking
• Magnin & Associates
• Metrocare
• Microsoft
• Moss Adams
• NBC 5 / Telemundo 39
• Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)
• Omni Hotels & Resorts
• On-Target Supplies & Logistics
• Oncor
• Parkland Hospital
• PepsiCo/Frito-Lay
• Pinnacle Group
• PlainsCapital Bank
• PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
• REDHOUSE Virtual Education
• Regional Black Contractors Association (RBCA)
• Signify Health
• SMU - Guildhall
• Southland Holdings
• Southwest Airlines
• State Fair of Texas
• STEMuli Education
• Texas A&M University - Commerce
• Texas Health Resources
• Texas Instruments
• TEXO, The Construction Association
• The Beck Group
• The Crowther Group
• The Kroger Co
• Thomson Reuters
• TracyLocke
• Truist Bank
• United MegaCare
• Univision
• UT Southwestern Medical Center
• Versa Printing, Inc.
• Wells Fargo Bank
• Youth Revive, Inc.

The P-TECH/ECHS/Collegiate Academies are designed to serve ninth grade students who have the determination to attend college and are first-generation college students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education. Interested eighth grade students, who will be freshmen next year, can apply for the upcoming school year.

Most campuses have 125 open seats, but some may have fewer – we recommend checking with the campus you are interested in.

Students can apply by completing and submitting the online application and providing a letter of recommendation from their eighth-grade counselor. 

Transportation is provided to both the high school and the higher education partner campus.

Please contact your campus administrator for more information. 

No. Tuition is waived for students enrolled and textbooks will be provided to all students free of charge.

No. College textbooks will be provided to all students free of charge.

Students will begin taking college level classes as early their freshman year, then begin taking more classes as they progress through high school.

Students enrolled in college courses must meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements. This can be done by taking the TSIA2 (TSIA2) and earning passing scores in reading, writing, and math. Students must have passing scores in specific areas based on course prerequisites. A Summer Bridge Camp will be held to help students prepare for P-TECH and Early College High School, including preparation for the TSIA2.

It is the policy of Dallas ISD to afford equal opportunity education to all students. Students receiving special education services are given the same consideration in the selection as all other students. The individual needs of the student, as indicated in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), can be addressed during any audition or performance assessment. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to provide the IEP or 504 Plan with the application. Students enrolled in dual credit courses at Dallas College, UNT-D, or TAMU-C, can request accommodations by providing documentation of disability and be found eligible through the college’s Disability Support Services Office (DSO).