About Us

Who chooses to attend Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center?

Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center is a high school in Irving ISD. It is a school of choice with an application process to attend.  Approximately 400 students are accepted to attend Cardwell each year. The campus is small, with only 3 hallways,  and has a hometown feel.  While we do not have UIL Fine Arts or Athletics, we do provide clubs and organizations to build community and bonds with like-minded individuals. 

Our motto is to build hope, celebrate success and produce life-long learners.

Vision

We will meet every student where they are and build individualized plans for future success.

Mission Statement

Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center, along with our community, will encourage high levels of learning for all students through positive relationships and rigorous instruction. 

History of Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center

The Irving ISD Board of Trustees renamed Union Bower Center (UBCL) as the Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center (BCCPC) in honor of former IISD Trustee, the late Barbara Cardwell. The school opened under the new name in 2010. The decision came as a result of surveys and information gathering on the part of trustees and IISD administrators.  With a new focus on career preparation, renaming the school became an appropriate step.  Students and staff were interviewed along with members of the Cardwell family.  

History of the James A. Ratteree Center  

James A. Ratteree Career Development Center was dedicated in honor of Mr. James  A. Ratteree in 2001. The program is connected with CTE at Barbara Cardwell.  Textbooks and Learning Resources are also located at the Ratteree.

Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center, along with our community, will encourage high levels of learning for all students through positive relationships and rigorous instruction.

We will meet every student where they are and build individualized plans for future success.

Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center is also known as Cardwell Prep. We serve students who are seeking an non-traditional schooling environment. Our school offers a small personalized environment and flexible school hours from 8:30am to 4:00pm.

Our School is composed of two student programs: Grad LAB and House.

Our House is composed of 9th through 12th graders and is our largest population of students. These students have the typical 8 period day schedule with late arrival or early release as an option for qualifying students. These students complete the House Bill 5 Foundation High School Program and are able to receive endorsements.

Our Grad LAB program is computer-based digital instruction for students who need to complete a few credits to graduate and require a half day program. This program is for 12th graders.

Cardwell Prep also houses the District's Compensatory Education Home Instruction (CEHI) Classroom which is a part of the Teen Pregnancy and Parenting Students (TAPPS) program. CEHI is offered during her maternity leave, the six weeks after the delivery. Instruction is provided by a certified teacher, known as the CEHI instructor, 4 hours per week for most students.