St. Mary’s University launches dual credit partnership with Holy Cross of San Antonio 

Holy Cross students will attend dual credit courses on St. Mary’s University’s campus

St. Mary’s University announced a new high school dual credit partnership with Holy Cross of San Antonio during a signing ceremony today at the St. Mary’s Welcome Center.

Beginning in Fall 2026, qualifying Holy Cross juniors and seniors will be able to take dual credit courses on the St. Mary’s University campus, earning both high school and college credit. Students may take up to two courses per semester, not to exceed eight credit hours per semester, with a maximum of 29 credit hours available through the program.

St. Mary’s University currently partners with the other four Catholic high schools in San Antonio to offer dual credit courses on the high school campuses. This new partnership with Holy Cross marks the first time St. Mary’s will welcome dual credit students to take courses on the University’s campus rather than at their high school.

“St. Mary’s University is delighted to enter into this new partnership with Holy Cross that will extend our liberal arts core to promising high school students in our neighborhood,” said St. Mary’s University President Winston Erevelles, Ph.D. “By bringing students onto the University’s campus for courses, we will further strengthen the bonds of Catholic educational institutions on the city’s West Side.”

Courses will be held during the school day and will include a range of offerings approved by the University, including many in the liberal arts. Fall 2026 course options include U.S. government, algebra, history, environmental science, criminal justice, global affairs, philosophy, Spanish, theology, literature and more. 

“We are thrilled to partner with St. Mary’s University to give our students a head start on their college experience,” said Holy Cross of San Antonio Principal Rene Escobedo, Ed.D. “Through this program, students will experience university life while still in high school and earn valuable college credits. This opportunity ensures that our students enter college with the confidence and skills needed to navigate their future university experiences.”