Trinidad Garza Early College High School

Schools That Work

Trinidad Garza Early College High School

Public, Urban

Grades 9-12

Dallas, TX

Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School — a public, urban school in Dallas, Texas — has a 100% graduation rate compared to 41% for their zip code. Over 80% of Trini Garza students are the first generation among their family to go to college, and last year, 47% graduated from this high school with an Associate’s degree. They achieve this through the Early College model, which enables students to earn college credit in high school, go to school on a college campus, and assimilate into the college culture.

2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools award winner: Exemplary High-Performing School
Since 2012, consistently outperformed both the district and state on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) in math, science, English, and history
Achieved a 100% graduation rate in 2014 and 2015, and a 0% dropout rate in 2014

College Readiness
Early College Model: Giving Students College Access in High School
At Trinidad Garza Early College High School, students can earn a free Associate’s degree. Last year, almost 50% of their graduating class did just that.
Student Voice
Student Surveys: Using Student Voice to Improve Teaching and Learning
When teachers survey their classes at Trinidad Garza Early College High School, students see how their opinions matter and have a direct impact on instruction.
Education Equity
The Deficit Model Is Harming Your Students
Raise your underserved students' expectations by raising your own, and create a series of reachable, data-based goals, scaffolding your instruction and mitigating their fear of failure.
Janice D. Lombardi
Education Equity
How I Broke the Cycle of Poverty
Trinidad Garza Early College High School helped Carlos Nava define and reinforce his personal narrative outside of the confines of society.
Carlos Nava
College Readiness
College Prep From 9th Grade On
One path to getting young people ready to be first-generation college students.
Emelina Minero
Student Voice
Improving Teaching With Expert Feedback—From Students
Teachers can improve their practice by giving students a voice in the classroom.
Emelina Minero
College Readiness
6 Strategies to Make Your Students College Ready
Trinidad Garza Early College High School uses six key instructional strategies to prepare students for higher education.
Emelina Minero
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Counselor’s Role: Scaffolded Support In and Outside of the Classroom
Embedded in study halls, Trinidad Garza Early College High School counselors support their students to succeed through scaffolded academic and social-emotional supports.
Jazmin Greenwood