Garza Early College High School a Finalist for National Award

Excellence in Urban Education highlights schools where students overcome obstacles to achieve

Early College High School at Mountain View College is one of five high schools in the country to be named a finalist for the National Center of Urban School Transformation’s 2012 Excellence in Urban Education Award. A site visit by a panel of judges was conducted earlier this month; winners will be announced in March.

Garza currently serves 393 students, who are working toward earning their high school diplomas and an Associate’s degree from Mountain View College, or 48 core college credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree. The high school opened in August 2006, through a partnership between Mountain View College and the Dallas Independent School District.  The school is a Texas Education Agency Recognized school and was also honored by Greatschools.org with a distinguished rating of 10 out of 10.  Greatschools.org is the country’s leading source of information at on school performance. 

 “To make it on any list that includes successful urban schools throughout the United States is humbling,” said Dr. Janice Lombardi, principal at Garza. “We know that our academics are rigorous and our expectations are high – we make no excuses for expecting the best of our urban students. We know our faculty brings out the best in themselves and the best in our students.

”The award celebrates urban schools that serve low-income communities and overcome multiple challenges, yet their students are performing well academically. Since 2006, the Excellence in Urban Education Award program has recognized 48 elementary, middle and high schools in 36 school districts and 15 states.  For information on the award, visit the National Center for Urban School Transformation’s Web site at ncust.org. 

Source: Dallas Morning News