Carroll ISD Southlake CBE — Family Resource Guide: 80% Pass, UTHS-Only, District-Paid (2026-2027)
Carroll ISD (CISD, Southlake) is a small, high-achievement Tarrant County district serving Southlake — home to Carroll Senior High School (juniors/seniors), Carroll High School (freshmen/sophomores), and Carroll Middle School + Dawson Middle School. CISD Southlake consistently ranks among Texas's top-performing districts on standardized measures. Their CBE program is well-defined and district-funded.
This is an independent guide. Texas CBE™ is not affiliated with CISD. Confirm specifics with your campus counselor.
Carroll ISD Southlake's CBE — the essentials
| Aspect | CISD rule |
|---|---|
| Passing bar | 80% for acceleration (TEC §28.023); 70% for credit recovery (19 TAC §74.24) |
| Eligibility | CBE for acceleration is only available to currently enrolled Carroll ISD students. |
| Exam vendor | Carroll ISD uses the University of Texas High School (UTHS) as its sole vendor for CBEs. |
| Cost | The costs of the CBE are paid for by the district. |
| Placement rule | Placement in a new course or grade level will only occur before the beginning of a school year, regardless of when the CBE for acceleration is taken. |
| K-8 grade acceleration | Students in Kindergarten through 8th grade may test to move ahead one entire grade level. |
| MS math acceleration | Students in 6th through 8th grade may test to move ahead a math level. |
| HS CBE | High school students may test to earn credit in a course they have not taken, or under certain circumstances, may earn credit for a course they took but did not receive credit for. |
| Campuses | Carroll Senior HS (11-12), Carroll HS (9-10), Carroll MS, Dawson MS |
The UTHS-only vendor choice
Unlike Round Rock, Leander, and some other districts that use both UT High School and Texas Tech K-12, Carroll ISD Southlake uses UTHS exclusively for CBE. This means:
- Exam format is consistent — always UT-Austin-style questions.
- TEKS coverage is the same, but stylistic prep should target UTHS's format specifically.
How CISD Southlake families typically use CBE
- Middle-school math level jump (6-8) — the dedicated "move ahead a math level" track.
- Algebra 1 acceleration between 8th and 9th grade.
- Grade skip in K-8 — one full grade level via CBE.
- Foreign-language CBE at HS — for heritage speakers.
- HS course-credit CBE for untaken courses — for advanced learners planning around AP or dual-credit schedules.
What Texas CBE™ offers CISD Southlake families
- TEKS-aligned practice with full-length timed mocks (80% acceleration bar).
- 5-language platform — English, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese.
- Free sample questions, no signup required.
- Full-course access $19.99 per subject for 6 months.
Three things to verify with your CISD counselor
- Currently enrolled in CISD Southlake is the eligibility gate — new families cannot use CBE for acceleration until enrolled.
- Placement changes happen only at start of school year — plan CBE testing around that.
- UTHS is the vendor — target prep to the UTHS style.
Related guides
- Coppell ISD CBE — Parent Guide (adjacent)
- Northwest ISD CBE — Parent Guide (adjacent)
- Frisco ISD CBE — Parent Guide
- CBE vs STAAR — parent decision guide
Sources
- Carroll ISD — Grade Acceleration / Credit by Exam.
- Carroll ISD — CBE Dates and Registration.
- Carroll Middle School — Gifted & Talented Testing / Grade Acceleration.
- Carroll High School — Academic Planning Guide.
- Texas Education Code §28.023.
- 19 TAC §74.24.
General guidance based on publicly available information. Confirm current rules with your CISD counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the passing score for a Carroll ISD Southlake CBE?
80% for acceleration (no prior instruction), per Texas Education Code §28.023. 70% for credit recovery, per 19 TAC §74.24.
Who is eligible for Carroll ISD's CBE?
Currently enrolled Carroll ISD students only. Families new to CISD cannot use CBE for acceleration until they are enrolled.
Which vendor does Carroll ISD use for CBEs?
University of Texas High School (UTHS) — as the sole vendor. Unlike Round Rock or Leander, CISD does not use Texas Tech K-12.
Who pays for a Carroll ISD CBE?
The district pays the CBE costs. Families should still plan carefully around the designated testing window.
Can a Carroll ISD 6th-grader move ahead a math level?
Yes. Students in 6th through 8th grade may test to move ahead a math level through CBE.
When does placement change after passing a CBE at CISD?
Only before the beginning of a school year, regardless of when the CBE for acceleration is taken. Plan testing timing accordingly.
Sources