With the launch of the Singley Collegiate Academy next August, Irving ISD students can earn a college degree for free while earning their high school diploma.
According to College for All Texans, the average annual tuition at a public four-year university is $25,000 per year. With two years of college under their belts, our students and their families can save up to $50,000.
The Singley Collegiate Academy is an expansion of the district’s existing Early College Start program, which has seen numerous graduates earn their associate’s degrees as high schoolers. Now with the Collegiate Academy, students will have the opportunity to learn as a cohort on a concentrated pathway focused on accelerated courses.
Students accepted to the Singley Collegiate Academy will simultaneously earn a high school diploma and up to 60 hours of college credit or one of two associate’s degrees: associate of arts in general studies or associate of science in general studies.
The first Early College High School in Irving ISD, Singley Collegiate Academy will launch with a freshman class of 125 students (comprised of current eighth graders), adding a class each year until the collegiate academy is fully built out with all four grade levels in 2024.
Thanks to a partnership with North Lake College, students will attend Singley Academy as freshmen and sophomores and may attend North Lake their junior and senior years tuition-free.
“The Singley Collegiate Academy is an innovative high school that will serve students who are ready to launch their college experience now,” says Harleigh Jones, Ed.D., associate principal of Singley Collegiate Academy. “Singley Collegiate Academy’s unique structure, blending high school courses and college courses over four years, will allow students to earn an associate’s degree upon graduation at no cost to families for college tuition or books with an authentic collegiate experience before graduating from high school.”
In addition to rigorous college courses, Singley Collegiate Academy will offer wrap-around resources, a supportive learning community, unique clubs and activities, college visits, mentorship and job connections – all for free.
While Singley Collegiate Academy will be housed at Singley Academy, it is not replacing the career pathway-focused academy currently in existence. In addition, any student can apply to the Singley Collegiate Academy. It is not limited to students accepted to Singley Academy.
The Singley Collegiate Academy application, which will be available on the district website, opens Monday, Nov. 11, and closes January 17, 2020. The process will include an application, reflection essays, and an interview. Students will be notified in early spring, and those who are accepted will be invited to participate in a college signing celebration and a summer bridge academy before starting the school year.
Information sessions will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 12, and Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Singley Academy auditorium. The sessions will include detailed information about what Early College is, the degrees offered, how the degree plan works and what makes Singley Collegiate unique. In addition, students will have the opportunity to complete the application that night.
For more information, including the link to the application, visit the Singley Collegiate Academy booth at the Go Irving! school choice expo on Nov. 9. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Singley Academy.
