What is P-TECH?

At Rowlett HS, the P-TECH (Pathways to Technology Early College High School) program allows students to learn in cohort groups. This fosters accelerated learning and provides support to build the academic and social skills needed for college success—all within a “school within a school” environment.

Through a partnership with Dallas College – Richland Campus, students gain:

• Technical and workplace skills
• Opportunities for college credit while in high school
• The chance to take courses at Richland during junior/senior year

By graduation, P-TECH students can earn:

• Up to 60 college credit hours toward a degree in:
  • Associate of Arts with a Software Development Certificate
  • Associate of Arts with a Game Development certificate
  • Associate of Applied Science in Software Programming & Development 
    • (Class of 2027  & 2028 only)
• A High school diploma
• A professional footprint to launch careers
• Valuable internship experiences
• Industry-recognized Career and Technology Certifications

P-TECH at Rowlett High School is open to all students, with a focus on serving diverse groups and those who have been historically underrepresented in college courses.

• There are NO testing or grade requirements to join the program.
• Students must complete a magnet application during the district's magnet application window. 
• For key dates and details, please visit the district Magnet page.

What are the P-TECH Pathways at Rowlett HS?

For the incoming Class of 2030 the P-TECH DEGREE programs HAVE CHANGED! 

Students in the Class of 2030 - P-TECH program will select and follow ONE of the following degree plans below in the P-TECH program. 

• Associate of Arts with a Software Development Certificate
  • This degree allows students to earn a full Associate of Arts degree while also gaining career-ready technical skills in software development through an industry-recognized certificate.
• Associate of Arts with a Game Development Certificate
  • This degree allows students to earn a full Associate of Arts degree while also gaining career-ready technical skills in game development through an industry-recognized certificate.

The Class of 2027 and 2028 P-TECH Software Development will follow the degree below in the P-TECH program.

• Associate of Applied Science in Software Programming and Development.
  • This degree prepares students for specific career/technical skills & employability in the field of software development. The requirements for the Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S) are not always fully transferable. Each four-year university will decide which technical courses from this degree they will or will not accept.

What other offerings are available to me in the P-TECH program?

In addition to college credit and technical training, P-TECH students can also participate in:

• Advanced Placement (AP) courses and AP Exams
• Athletics and Fine Arts programs (as students' schedules allow)
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses (as students' schedules allow)
• Gilbreath-Reed Technical Center (GRCTC) (as students' schedules allow)
• College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) programs

Magnet Application Process & Timelines

While there are no testing requirements for the Magnet programs at Rowlett HS, requirements vary by program across the district and can include test scores, grades, art/music assessments, and more. For more information about the magnet application process and timelines, please visit the Garland ISD website.
 

Choice of School / Magnet Application Dates 

December 1 - January 12, 2026

For additional information about ECHS & PTECH, please contact Tanika Haggan at 972-463-1712 ext. 62523.

How to Apply to the Rowlett HS Magnet Programs?

Follow the steps to use the new AVELA  APPLICATION SYSTEM to apply for magnet programs:

You will want to rank your school choices in the new Avela application system by preference, paying special attention to the Magnet/Non-Magnet indicator in the school title.

1. The lottery system tries to match students with their choices in the order in which they’re listed, 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc., all the way through 6.
    
2. After making a match, the program will add the student’s name to the waitlist of those schools that were ranked above the matched school.
    
3. All schools ranked below the matched school are removed because they are less preferred than the matched school.
    
4. If a magnet program finds a student not eligible, they will not be placed on the waitlist for that school option regardless of how the student ranked the school.

For additional information about the ECHS & PTECH, please contact Tanika Haggan at 972-463-1712 ext. 62523.