Frequently Asked Questions

Lobo ColLEgiate Academy is a cohort of LEHS students who will participate in extensive dual credit coursework through North Central Texas College (NCTC), beginning in the freshman or sophomore year of high school, with the goal of being core complete upon high school graduation.

According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, one of the most important provisions of the Texas Core Curriculum (TCC) is that it allows students who successfully complete a 42 semester credit hour core curriculum at one higher education institution to transfer the entire set of completed courses to another public Texas higher education institution without having to repeat any core courses.

Students who enroll in a Texas public university without completing the entire 42-SCH core curriculum may receive credit for each of the courses they successfully complete at the discretion of the accepting university.

Technically yes. But students must understand their four-year high school schedule, starting with 9th grade, will be planned around the Lobo ColLEgiate Academy structure. Leaving the program may limit their options and cause difficult scheduling situations. This program is specifically designed to be a four-year commitment and if a student does not reach core complete status they may have to repeat one or more courses depending on the institution where they enroll after high school.

Current 8th graders (Class of 2025) and 9th graders (Class of 2024) are eligible to apply for admittance for the 2021-2022 school year.

Our Academy is not designed to offer an Associate’s Degree while in high school. Rather than focusing on one college major, the Lobo ColLEgiate Academy will give students a wide variety of college coursework so they are better prepared to choose a college major after high school.

Yes. The Lobo ColLEgiate Academy is designed to promote dual credit completion while still allowing students to be involved in CTE classes, extracurricular activities, clubs, organizations, and competitions.

Yes. Outside the Academy structure, students are encouraged to take the classes that meet their needs based on consultation with their parent(s) and school counselor.

Students are expected to earn 50 college hours before high school graduation.

Yes. Students are required to pay for all tuition, associated fees, and books for NCTC courses. Dual credit tuition costs for this program are controlled by NCTC. As of the 2018-2019 academic year a typical three-hour dual credit class would cost $339 plus books. The cost of books varies per class.

Yes. As of the 2018-2019 academic year, students who are part of the National School Lunch Program (free or reduced) can apply for a tuition waiver of up to six hours per semester. The waiver does not include the cost of books. FAFSA does not apply for dual credit classes. Please refer to the NCTC Scholarship Opportunities webpage for more details.

College tuition, fees, and other expenses vary by institution. However, it can cost well over $20,000 per year to attend a mid-sized state university in Texas. Based on 2018-2019 NCTC tuition rates and other fees, it is estimated that the full 50-hour Lobo ColLEgiate Academy could cost between $5500-$7000 total (this is an estimate and may vary depending on many factors). Cost could be significantly lower if a student qualifies for tuition waivers. Visit the NCTC Scholarship Opportunities webpage for more information.

Students should consult the webpage located at www.littleelmisd.net/LCA for information, detailed instructions, and timeline.

We must reach a designated number of students enrolled in dual credit in order to host NCTC face-to-face classes at Little Elm High School. We want to accommodate as many students as possible that meet the enrollment criteria.

Yes. Little Elm ISD partners with several colleges and universities to offer dual credit options to students. As long as students meet the qualifications for those programs they can enroll in dual credit classes. Students are encouraged to visit with their counselor for more details.

All LEHS students will be able to take dual credit classes through our higher education partners. Admission to the core complete pathway for Lobo ColLEgiate Academy occurs for students in their 8th or 9th grade year.

Yes. A student must complete the full application process and meet entry requirements. They must also have room in their schedule to complete the six-hours of dual credit required in the first year of the Academy, or complete the hours during the summer through NCTC.

Yes. A student can get very near an Associate’s Degree while in the Lobo ColLEgiate Academy plus, if they choose to do so, they can take other courses during the summer to get closer to or complete their Associate’s Degree. Students are urged to visit with their high school counselor or a representative from NCTC for more information on this option.