In the fall of 2016, a dedicated planning committee—comprising the high school principal, district secondary and curriculum leaders, the Director of College & Career Readiness, and other key administrators—came together to design a College‑Within‑a‑School model that would launch in the 2017‑2018 academic year

On September 25, 2017, Duncanville High School officially unveiled its Collegiate Academy—a newly renovated, 7,000-square-foot space just above the campus library, designed to embody the collaborative, welcoming feel of a student union. Funded by district support, this space features flexible seating, collaboration rooms, mobile whiteboards, and informal learning environments that foster a collegiate atmosphere while remaining grounded within the high school setting.

Launched in partnership with Mountain View College, the DHS Collegiate Academy allows high school students to earn up to 60 hours of college credit—effectively securing both a high school diploma and an associate degree before graduation. In its inaugural years, the program produced tangible success: students graduate with Associate Degrees alongside their DHS diplomas, setting a powerful precedent for future cohorts.

One of the academy’s key advantages: students don’t have to leave campus to pursue college credit. This structure enables them to remain fully engaged in high school life—including fine arts, athletics, and extracurriculars—while advancing academically.

Built on a foundation of academic rigor, the Collegiate Academy serves highly motivated students seeking a challenging, dual‑credit path. From the start, it has positioned participants to graduate both college‑ and career‑ready, blending early college opportunities with a traditional high school experience