Texas Wesleyan University and Fort Worth ISD partnered to start a grant-funded collaboration that provides students at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School the opportunity to get a jump start on their college career. 

Collegiate Academy at Dunbar High School is one of more than 100 TEA designated Early College High Schools (ECHS), but this is the first public-private partnership in Texas.  The mission of the academy is to provide students a supportive academic environment that allows them to earn up to 42 college credit hours by their senior year and graduate on the distinguished achievement plan.

“We are proud to be a leader with the first ECHS public-private partnership in the state of Texas, and even more proud to be an institution students can look to for help in jumpstarting their collegiate careers,” Allen Henderson, provost and senior vice president, said.

Beginning in the Fall of 2016, Dunbar students had the chance to enroll and attend Texas Wesleyan classes. While the classes are conducted primarily at Dunbar High School, the students are still able to gain college experiences like other Texas Wesleyan students with full access to West Library resources, free admission to sports games and other Texas Wesleyan events.

“This program reduces the financial barrier that prevents many students from pursuing any higher education opportunity, and creates a seamless pathway from high school to college,” Jamal Williams, director of Collegiate Academy & College Credit Partnerships, said. “Texas Wesleyan is very proud to partner with FWISD and Dunbar High School for the benefit of these students.”

The 42 college credit hours that can be earned are all general academic core classes that will apply toward a bachelor’s degree and are funded by the grant.

These students are also automatically accepted into Texas Wesleyan as long as they meet the minimum criteria.

Students choose to enter this program the fall of their freshman year. To date, 78 total students are enrolled. The first graduating class will be in 2021.