College Prep Programs

College-bound students should not have to choose between a full high school experience and a head start on college. At Bishop Dunne, The Collegiate Institute partners with Dallas College to give qualified students the opportunity to complete all of their high school graduation requirements while simultaneously earning an Associate of Science degree, at no additional tuition cost. Students take a true college curriculum within the familiar structure and support of our high school campus, so they can stay deeply involved in athletics, fine arts, and student life while they work toward dual diplomas. By the time they cross the graduation stage, Collegiate Institute students hold both a Bishop Dunne high school diploma and a Dallas College Associate’s degree, saving time and money and stepping into the next chapter of their lives with confidence.

At Bishop Dunne, AP Capstone gives motivated students a proven pathway to become confident scholars and compelling applicants, and the school is proud to be one of the select North Texas campuses recognized by College Board to offer this prestigious diploma program. Through the two-year sequence of AP Seminar and AP Research, students choose topics they care about and learn to think critically, conduct college-level research, collaborate, manage complex projects, and deliver polished presentations—exactly the skills that drive success in college and career. To earn the AP Capstone Diploma, students pair AP Seminar and AP Research with four additional AP exams scored 3 or higher, and Bishop Dunne offers dozens of AP courses across all disciplines so each student can build a rigorous, personalized AP pathway that helps them shine on applications and in the classroom beyond graduation.

The College Ready Academy for first-generation college students at Bishop Dunne Catholic School is modeled after the University Leadership Network at the University of Texas at Austin. The College Ready Academy is a two-year program designed to improve the college graduation rate for students who will be first-generation college students. College Ready Academy includes monthly sessions for students, parent engagement meetings, service-learning, financial literacy, and academic requirements to build college retention protective factors.

College-bound students are stepping into a world where money decisions and innovation matter as much as test scores. A strong finance and entrepreneurship program in a college prep school helps them avoid common financial mistakes, understand loans and budgeting, and make informed choices about college and career. By learning how businesses work, pitching ideas, and solving real-world problems, students build the creativity, resilience, and leadership skills employers are asking for—and they enter college not just ready to keep up, but ready to lead.

College-bound students quickly discover that grades and test scores are not enough; they also need the self-knowledge and relational skills to lead themselves and work well with others. In a strong college prep environment, students learn to name their strengths and weaknesses, grow in virtues like magnanimity and humility, and understand their unique temperament. When teenagers practice emotional intelligence, communicating with empathy, and collaborating across differences, they are better prepared to handle college pressures, build healthy relationships, and become the kind of authentic, others-focused leaders the world needs.

Each fall, Bishop Dunne hosts a college fair for high school students and parents. A diverse group of colleges from across the country attend the fair to enlighten our students about the exciting opportunities they offer in higher education. Please check back for the next college fair date.

At Bishop Dunne we believe the experience of being on a college campus is essential to the college process. For that reason we set aside a day each spring to take the entire freshman class on a tour of a local college campus. Not only do the students take a tour on this visit, but they also participate in an admissions presentation and enjoy lunch on campus.

During the fall of their sophomore year, the entire class will again visit a local college campus.