Hinojosa met with district leadership and came up with an idea: launch a new Criminal Justice Pathway as part of Bryan Adams High School’s P-TECH, where students can earn up to 60 hours of college credit tuition-free while in high school. Through the pathway, which includes a partnership with the Dallas Police Department (DPD) and Dallas County Community College System, students can graduate high school with an associate degree and relevant training to begin the Dallas Police Department Academy.
David W. Carter High School already has a grow-your-own police academy program, and with Bryan Adams adding the pathway, the opportunity will now be in each quadrant of the city.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to enter a well-paying career where they can come back and serve the community they grew up in,” Hinojosa said.
On Nov. 19, Dallas ISD and City of Dallas leaders officially launched the Criminal Justice Pathway at Bryan Adams High School. The Criminal Justice Pathway joins the school’s existing Early Childhood Education Pathway, meaning Bryan Adams is now preparing students for two of Dallas’ most critical workforce needs, said Trustee Dan Micciche.
“I can’t think of two more important careers than law enforcement and education, and I commend the amazing work happening at Bryan Adams to address public safety in both the medium and long term,” Micciche said. “Dallas ISD is the most improved, most innovative school district in the state. And Bryan Adams is the most improved, most innovative school in Dallas ISD.”
DPD Senior Corporal Angela Garza is a Bryan Adams graduate who returned to her alma mater for Tuesday’s launch of the Criminal Justice Pathway. Garza said she was proud of the school for launching the Criminal Justice Pathway and the good it can bring the community.
“It’s an amazing feeling to grow up in this part of Dallas–to know the community and small businesses–and then later in life have the opportunity to protect them,” Garza said. “This is a great opportunity for students here at BA who want to make a difference.”
Students can apply to either the Bryan Adams or Carter P-TECH with the Criminal Justice Pathway–or any other Dallas ISD specialty school or program–through Jan. 31. Go here to learn more.
