Distinguished Dragons: A Guaranteed College Career for Carroll Seniors

Dragon seniors who meet certain criteria now have a guaranteed path to college at four prestigious schools. 

It's called the Distinguished High School Partnership Program and Carroll ISD launched it this year. "This is an amazing opportunity for many of our high school graduates to land at the right college campus without the stress of the standard application process," said School Board President Cam Bryan. "It's a testament to the quality education we deliver." 

"Very few districts have this distinction," added Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Glenn, "but the academic rigor and reputation of CISD make our students appealing to collegiate admission officers." Glenn initiated the program at Carroll after establishing it several years ago at Granbury ISD.

Texas Tech University is the latest institution to join the partnership with CISD. Representatives from Texas Tech met with Carroll ISD Board members and Dr. Glenn on Tuesday, August 5 to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), making it official.

Under the program, Carroll Senior High seniors who meet specific academic requirements would be guaranteed automatic and immediate admission. So far, the program includes:

• Texas Tech University
• Tarleton State University
• Howard Payne University
• McMurry State University

Each University specifies the terms by which students would qualify. Most of them have waived SAT/ACT submission requirements and application fees.

Making the program even more appealing, several of the colleges offer financial incentives in addition to the streamlined admission. Howard Payne University offers a $60,000 scholarship to qualifying Carroll seniors. Tarleton State University will grant an additional $1,000 academic award above a standard scholarship program for qualified Carroll Seniors. 

Most of the universities will also provide these students continuous support regarding overall degree counseling, additional financial aid, work study mentorships and peer mentoring.

The Carroll ISD Curriculum Department is currently in discussion with leaders at the University of Missouri as the District's first out-of-state partnership.

The 2026 CSHS graduating class will be the first ones eligible for the Distinguished High School Partnership program. To learn more, click HERE.