Richland Collegiate High School or RCHS faces potential termination due to declining enrollment numbers, according to Dr. Kathryn K. Eggleston, president of Dallas College Richland Campus said.
Since the formation of RCHS in 2006, various early graduation opportunities have become available for students. Eggleston and Tiffany Kirksey, vice provost of educational partnerships, hosted a community forum on Feb. 9 in Sabine Hall addressing the state of RCHS.
Forum members explained the decline in enrollment and answered questions from parents and RCHS students. RCHS enrolled students in their junior year of high school and gave them the chance to earn an associate degree while completing a high school diploma. The program suits 900 students. The current enrollment is 270. “We need to be closer to 600 students to remain sustainable,” Kirksey said.
Pathways in technology or P-Tech schools and charter schools offer early graduation options that are more accessible to students early on.
Kirksey said that unlike most programs hosted in high schools, RCHS has the college doing the work of recruiting students and staff.
Dual credit through Dallas College has remained a popular choice among high school students looking to get ahead. While RCHS is not currently accepting applications, enrolled students will be able to finish their degree with no disruption.
Rumors about student performance came into question at the forum. The situation of RCHS “is not a reflection on our current students,” Kirksey said, adding that student attendance and graduation rates exceed expectations. The program faced hardships recovering students after COVID-19 when online classes became the norm. “It’s a very challenging time in K-12 right now,” Eggleston said, adding, “I do know students have more choices than they ever have.”
Whether the program continues or not, the final decision will be made on March 5 by the Dallas College Board of Trustees.
