Texas Tech Signing Event

Rockwall ISD to Hold Signing Ceremony to welcome Texas Tech University as the newest partner to join the Dr. Gene Burton College & Career Academy May 23

The public is invited to a signing event Wednesday, May 23 at 10 a.m. at the Dr. Gene Burton College & Career Academy to welcome Texas Tech University to Rockwall ISD. The Academy is located at 2301 S. John King Blvd., Rockwall, Texas.

The Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the partnership contract for three years at their special session on May 7. This unique partnership gives Texas Tech the ability to host both face-to-face and online classes at the Academy. Students will now have the opportunity to receive a high-quality degree from a tier one university without having to relocate.

“I’m so proud we are partnered with a tier one university like Texas Tech,” said Dr. John Villarreal, superintendent of Rockwall ISD. “This partnership will offer many opportunities to our students in the future as well as the greater Rockwall community. I want to thank the former Rockwall Business Education Council and Dr. Gene Burton for their vision 10 years ago of an Academy with a university partnership. We are also appreciative to the community for their support of the 2015 bond that made this project a reality.”

The Dr. Gene Burton College & Career Academy will be a vital part of the STEM program for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The Academy will offer pathways designed to provide students with an opportunity to explore career options and professional certifications. The district is also partnering with Collin College to provide dual credit learning opportunities for students. Upon successful completion of a dual credit course students will be awarded college and high school credit simultaneously. Open to students from both Rockwall ISD high schools, the Academy will host more than 50 courses in the 150,000-square-foot building, providing both high schools with space for additional enrollment capacity on their existing campuses. The Academy was approved by the public in the November 2015 bond election and will open fall 2018.