UNT System
Pegasus School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, a charter school located in the Universities Center at Dallas, was one of 10 schools in Dallas County named as America’s Best High Schools by US News and World Report. Pegasus students exceeded the expected state proficiency standards and received the US News and World Report Bronze Medal Award. Pegasus' location in the UCD, home of the UNT System Chancellor’s Dallas Office, is in the heart of Downtown Dallas.
The magazine analyzed 2005-2006 school year data from 18,790 public high schools in 40 states using a three-step process. The first two steps are designed to ensure that the school is serving all its students well. The analysis for Pegasus did not reach the third step, which measured college readiness based upon Advanced Placement, (“AP”) program data. That’s because Pegasus, instead of an AP program, offers high school/college dual credit courses; their students also can attend classes at El Centro Community College. Most Pegasus graduates do go on to college, often with a significant number of transferable credit hours acceptable by nearly all institutions.
Using a multidimensional approach, Pegasus uses the entire Downtown Dallas area as a learning lab; students enjoy all the cultural resources near the UCD such as the museums and theaters in the Arts District and the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library. Students come to Pegasus from all over Dallas County to be educated in this award-winning high school.
John F. Crawford, President & CEO of DOWNTOWNDALLAS, the organization whose mission is to be the primary advocate, champion and manager of Downtown initiatives says, “Pegasus School is a treasure in Downtown Dallas, and we could not be more thrilled with the recent US News recognition. The curriculum and environment offered this institution is completely unique, so it is particularly gratifying to see the school gain this type of national public recognition.” - From Downtown This Month, February 2008 DowntownDallas newsletter.