South Garland High School’s Early College High School (ECHS) program is earning statewide recognition as the first in Garland ISD to receive a Designation with Distinction from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) under its Outcomes-Based Measures.

This is the first year campuses across Texas were eligible for distinction status, marking an early milestone for a program that continues to build momentum.

Early College High Schools are open-enrollment programs designed for students who are least likely to attend college or those seeking to accelerate their path after high school. Through partnerships with colleges and universities, participants can earn a high school diploma and up to 60 college credit hours or an associate degree at no cost, while receiving academic supports that help them succeed in college-level coursework.

In Garland ISD, the program partners with Dallas College. Participants take dual credit courses at no cost in a dedicated section of campus and have access to Dallas College resources. The cohort model is capped at 125 students per grade level, creating a close-knit academic community focused on college readiness and consistent support, along with a culture that reflects what it means to be #BuiltDifferent.

Launched in 2019–2020 as a provisional campus, the program has grown steadily, with the Class of 2025 marking its third graduating cohort.

The TEA awards Early College High School designations based on three areas: access, attainment, and achievement. Distinctions are earned when campuses exceed state benchmarks, reflecting strong outcomes in enrollment and college credit completion.

South Garland exceeded those benchmarks across multiple measures, earning distinction in all three categories.

For Principal Jessica Hill, the recognition reflects years of intentional work focused on student opportunity and persistence.

“It’s really rewarding to know that the work that we put in every day has earned the recognition for what we do,” Hill said. “We love the community and the learners we serve. Providing them opportunities to go to college while still in high school is rewarding.”

Hill said the work behind the designation is ongoing, with staff continually tracking progress and refining supports for learners.

“We look at the number of participants taking dual credit classes and earning degrees through Dallas College,” she said. “We’re always finding ways to meet those goals by supporting underserved populations and providing rigorous instruction.”

A key focus is the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA), which signals college readiness.

“One of our biggest focuses is ensuring they meet the TSIA benchmark,” Hill said. “It shows they have the skills required for college, and we’re constantly finding new interventions to help them get there.”

The program’s impact is especially significant for first-generation college students and emergent bilingual learners, many of whom are navigating higher education without a family roadmap.

“These are emergent bilingual learners and first-generation college students,” Hill said. “They don’t always have support at home for what it takes to be a college student. We have to build those systems here on campus.”

South Garland High School also offers P-TECH pathways in automotive, welding, and electromechanical engineering, with an upcoming patient care technician program in health science.

South Garland’s ECHS was the district’s first, and the model has since expanded across Garland ISD campuses. Hill said sustaining success is now the priority.

“The hardest thing is going to be making sure we keep it,” she said. “We have to keep setting the bar high and providing the support they need throughout the journey.”

That journey is already producing results. Hill shared that most learners go on to four-year universities, and many complete degrees after beginning college in high school.

“We do have a lot who continue,” she said. “Even if every student doesn’t finish a degree, they leave with exposure to higher-level thinking, college credit, and a strong foundation for life after high school. That matters.”

With its TEA designation and distinctions secured, South Garland’s ECHS program is focused on what comes next: maintaining momentum, expanding access, and continuing to raise the bar for what participants can achieve.