DTX-MCK: Impact 10/3/2025

🎓️ McKinney ISD officials will launch a collegiate academy in the 2026-27 school year, which will give participating students the opportunity to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree.

Information on the program was presented at a Sept. 15 school board meeting. The program will be offered in partnership with Collin College.

The gist: A collegiate academy is a specialized high school program that enables students to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree, or at least 60 college credit hours, concurrently, said Javetta Jones Roberson, the district’s coordinator of Advanced Academics and Collegiate Partnerships, at the meeting. The program can provide a pathway to college for underserved students, allowing for a head start on college coursework as well as decreased college costs, she said.

Quote of note: “We’re trying to be as holistic as possible here and think about our students' pathways beyond McKinney ISD,” Jones Roberson said.

🖥️ iCode is set to open a new location in McKinney, franchise owner Sonal Takkar said.

What they offer: iCode is a STEM learning center that integrates AI into its curriculum, offering programs for students ages 5-18. The hands-on curriculum includes:

• Programming VEX robots
• Mastering drone programming
• Using platforms like Minecraft and Roblox as coding environments

🛍️ Representatives of Allen Premium Outlets held a celebration Oct. 1 to commemorate the shopping center’s 25th anniversary.

Members of the community, including city leaders, business owners, representatives of the Allen Chamber of Commerce and more, gathered at the retail center for a 25th anniversary ribbon-cutting ceremony as well as a performance by the Allen High School Varsity Drumline.

The specifics: The shopping center opened in October 2000 with a roster of retailers that has continued to grow, according to a news release. The outlets saw an expansion completed in 2018 that included additional retail space and amenities. Over 120 name-brand outlet stores can be found in the center now, including brands like Kate Spade New York, Coach, Nike Factory Store, Under Armour and more.

Get involved: As part of the 25th anniversary celebration, various events and promotions are planned throughout October.

🏞️ City officials are closing in on an agreement for a community farm on a portion of Gray Branch Parkland in McKinney.

McKinney City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 for a regular meeting. The agenda includes consideration of a license agreement with the Seed Project Foundation to open the farm on a patch of land purchased by the city in 2016.

The gist: If approved by council, the agreement would enable crop planting and renovation of an existing barn structure for crop planting and processing. The barn structure would also be renovated to include an office, kitchen learning center and an educational space.

Also on the agenda: Prior to the regular meeting, council members are meeting for a work session at 3 p.m. Oct. 6. The agenda includes discussion of potential changes to the city’s electioneering ordinance and a potential trap-neuter-release program for feral cats.