In late October 2023, Collin College announced its partnership with Plano ISD to create the Wildcat Collegiate Academy (WCA), a streamlined pathway offered to Plano ISD students to earn an associate degree in addition to their high school diploma.
When the academy begins in Fall 2024, eligible Plano ISD students will be enrolled simultaneously as Collin College students and receive dual credit tuition. Students will be able to choose between an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree with dual credit instruction provided by college-credentialed faculty.
“Earning college credit in high school is an academic and financial game changer for many of our students and their families,” said Plano ISD Superintendent Dr. Theresa Williams. “As a parent of a child who earned an associate degree at the same time he earned a high school diploma, I know how beneficial this type of program can be in accelerating a student’s path at the university level.”
Among other features and benefits, the program will include dual credit and textbooks at no cost to students, a summer bridge program to support the transition from 8th grade to college, college campus visits and bus routes from high school campuses to the WCA. A complete list of the program’s features and benefits can be found on WCA’s website.
To be admitted to the WCA, applicants must be current eighth-grade students to begin WCA as a ninth-grader for the 2024-2025 school year, have a 90% attendance rate and have earned a "Meets" performance level on the Fall 8th Grade MAP Reading Assessment. The WCA will admit 125 students per school year.
An in-person information meeting was held on Thursday, Nov. 2 and a virtual meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov 16 at 6:30 p.m. A recording of the meeting will be available afterward. You can register to attend here.
