After seeing a need for aid in the

mathematical and engineering fields,

founder David Canine developed a

program for Richland Community College as

well as others in the Dallas County Community

College District that allows students to receive

both their high school diploma and associates

degree at the same time. At first, the program

was not targeted specifically at students

enrolled in public high schools, but those that

were home schooled.

Richland Collegiate High School (R.C.H.S.)

allows junior and senior level students to attend

Richland College in place of their current high

school, making them R.C.H.S. students.

“The program came from demands we were

getting from home school parents and private

school parents,” Mr. Canine said. “It was clear

to me there was a need for higher education in

the mathematics and engineering fields than

what has been previously offered for high

school students as well as other people. Now,

200 students attend while getting both high

school and college credit.”

The need for the program was no greater for

home schooled students than those enrolled

at public schools, as shown by former student

Christopher Wiseman. Mr. Canine reported

that nearly 80 former GISD students are now

in the program.

“The classes were easy at first because I had

some laid back instructors,” Wiseman said.

“This semester, though, I got some pretty tough

instructors, so the classes got a lot harder.”

According to Wiseman, tough professors and

collegiate level classes were well worth his time,

especially since there was no cost.

“Getting both college and high school credit

for free is great,” Wiseman said. “I get to be

prepared for college much better than others, so

I will look better to college admissions offices

when I transfer.”

For future R.C.H.S. student sophomore

Christopher Goss, the benefits described by

Wiseman outway the cost.

“The only reason I wouldn’t want to go is that

I will miss a lot of people,” Goss said. “While I

can finish high school, I can finish two years of

college credit which helps cut down on fees.”

To be accepted into the program, students

must apply through the counselor’s office their

sophomore or junior year and turn in with their

application the previous year’s TAKS scores,

a current high school transcript, attendance

record, immunization records and they have

to go through an interview process. Also, they

must take what is called the Accuplacer test.

“The test basically tells us what classes the

students should be placed in,” Mr. Canine said.

“It normally takes anywhere from three and a

half hours up to five hours.”

If a student is accepted, they receive a laptop

from the school. If their test results are at

college level, they are immediately placed in

college classes. If not, they are placed in classes

to prepare them for high level courses.

“At first, I placed at college level for everything

except math,” Christopher said. “I took the math

portion of the test again two months later and

was then placed in College Algebra.”

Though much about their environment

changes, many things stay the same for

collegiate high school students in the program,

according to Mr. Canine.

“Students also participate in collegiate

events,” Mr. Canine said. “They still have

dances and they still have responsibility. It’s just

at a college instead.”