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Wildcat Collegiate Academy to offer up to 45 transferable college credits before graduation, presenter says
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Summary
The Wildcat Collegiate Academy (WCA) is a four‑year, in‑school dual‑credit pathway that can deliver up to 45 transferable college credit hours by high school graduation, with an optional 15 additional hours toward an associate degree; costs are $50 per credit hour for non‑FAST families and $0 for FAST‑eligible families, the presenter said.
The presenter outlined the Wildcat Collegiate Academy, a four‑year dual‑credit pathway embedded at the high school that allows students to earn up to 45 college credit hours before graduation and an optional 15 additional hours through Tarrant County College toward an associate degree. “This is an opportunity for our students to earn real college credit up to 45 hours before high school graduation,” the presenter said.
The presenter said the 45‑hour “core complete” meets the Texas state required college core and transfers to any Texas public university. Completing the pathway also provides automatic admission to Tarleton State University for students who choose that route. The presenter added that TSI testing is not required for these courses.
Families who qualify as FAST eligible — defined in the presentation as students who currently qualify or have qualified in the last four years for free or reduced lunch — will pay nothing for tuition, books or fees. For families not FAST eligible the presenter said tuition is $50 per credit hour; at that rate, 45 hours would total $2,250, though totals vary by course hour length.
The presenter walked through a typical four‑year plan: ninth graders begin with a Tarleton Today professional communications course (COMM 1314) that meets the high‑school speech requirement; tenth grade adds math and science dual‑credit options (including chemistry and anatomy and physiology); by junior year students may accumulate roughly 22 hours; seniors finish the pathway to reach core complete. “Starting college at sophomore or junior year eligibility,” the presenter said, noting the program can save families both time and tuition costs.
The district will replace some OnRamps offerings with Tarleton Today courses for subjects such as chemistry, composition, statistics and college algebra; honors courses that lack Tarleton equivalents (biology, geoscience, physics) will continue as before, the presenter said.
On logistics, the presenter confirmed that hands‑on labs will be provided for the Tarleton Today chemistry course and that lab hours are built into the regular chemistry period. When a parent asked whether labs would be separate college‑style sessions, the presenter replied, “Hands on labs will be provided for chemistry. That part of the 4 hours are lab hours same as with our OnRamps and our general chemistry as well.”
The presenter said Tarleton Today courses at the high school are weighted at the same 5.0 GPA tier used for AP and other dual‑credit offerings, which can affect class rank. Counselors will guide students through dual‑credit scheduling; for new students the presenter said families will meet with guidance counselors at registration to build schedules and that counselor appointments for schedule building typically begin in July though families may contact counselors earlier.
A course catalog addendum and a Wildcat Collegiate Academy web page will be posted with detailed course descriptions, prerequisites, GPA weighting and frequently asked questions. The presenter said the session was being recorded and materials would be available on the ParentU site and the WCA page.
The presentation concluded with an invitation for families to contact counselors with follow‑up questions and a reminder that participation in the WCA is optional and can be taken a la carte.
