Richland Collegiate High School will close with this last graduating senior class on May 17. This high school has been accepting students for at more than 12 years, and many are sad to see it go. For over a decade, RCHS provided students with unique opportunities to earn college credits early, develop and build a variety of skills, and connect with a supportive community.
RCHS has been an incredible experience for many students, offering opportunities they might not have had, or even known about, at a traditional high school.
Because of this, many were not only sad about the decision, but also caught off guard by it.
Mohamed Burhan, a Richland student, said, “ I was shocked because, you know, I just thought it was very beneficial for a lot of people right now.”
Others were sad that future students, including those they knew, would miss out on the same opportunities they had.
Aliza Kaleem, a senior at RCHS said, “It’s sad because I have younger siblings and definitely when they grow up I would want them to come here and get those same opportunities that I got.”
Even though many students were upset to see it go, they are also grateful for the experiences, the support and the friendships they made.
Abigail Daniel, a senior at RCHS, said that “I met new friends and they helped me through my classes. I also met professors that helped with college resources.”
Richland Campus college students built a strong community within the Dallas College campus.
Professors, advisers and success coaches were always available to help. These mentors guided students through research, scholarship applications and other opportunities that aren’t always easy to navigate alone. Even though the process could be stressful, many students said it helped prepare them for what comes next, especially when applying to college, which can feel overwhelming without support.
“Yes, like 100%.. It was through RCHS that I understood the whole application process and all that. I get it more, and I understand the classes that you need to take,” said Estefany Herrera, a senior at RCHS.
Since applying to college takes so much work, it’s important that students know what’s required for their major or career path, and RCHS helped with that too. Students were guided toward scholarship opportunities and encouraged to pursue them.
“The Terry Foundation Scholarship is a really good scholarship that they encourage us to get into,” Herrera said.
RCHS has clearly made a lasting impact. Students are both shocked and saddened to know that in just a month, it will be gone. Many hope the school will be remembered as a place where students built the skills to succeed, not just in college, but in life.
“Mainly the skills that we gained from here, like the communication skills, the research skills, and friends too, and the nice memories,” Kaleem said.
RCHS was an impactful experience for many, and it will definitely be missed. But one thing’s for sure, the seniors will carry this experience with them for a long time.
