Tyler has some sizable choices when it comes to education. Educational opportunities in Tyler include several options from the largest junior or community college in the state to the largest public school district in northeast Texas.

Public and Private Schools -

On the public school level, the Tyler Independent School District is the largest district in northeast Texas, encompassing 193 square miles with a total of 28 schools and an enrollment of approximately 18,000 students.

In 2008, TISD began using the 5E Model of teaching: engage, explore, explain, elaborate and evaluate. The goal is for students to have more interaction during the learning process, rather than simply writing down information and repeating it at test time.

There is also the Oak Hill Montessori School, Stepping Stone Pre-School and Elementary, C. Brown Middle School and several church-affiliated private schools in Tyler. They include All Saints Episcopal, Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Regional Catholic, Grace Community School, Good Shepherd Christian and St. Gregory Cathedral School.

UT Tyler -

The state’s most expansive educational component is the University of Texas System, and the city of Tyler has been part of it since 1979 when Texas Eastern University became the University of Texas at Tyler. Known locally as UT Tyler, the college has approximately 6,200 students and a 210-acre wooded campus located on Harvey Lake just southeast of downtown.

UT Tyler offers more than 90 graduate and undergraduate degrees, with a specialty in nursing that includes a Ph.D program. Other majors that attract a high level of interest include education, management, psychology and accounting. UT Tyler is also the home of the Texas Allergy, Indoor Environment and Energy Institute research center.

The university opened a 38,000-square-foot, three-story University Center in 2009, complete with restaurants, meeting rooms, a ballroom, an entertainment area and a convenience store. The school’s R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center attracts more than 26,000 visitors annually for a variety of shows and performances.

Tyler Junior College -

Since its inception in 1926, Tyler Junior College has grown from having fewer than 200 students to today’s enrollment of approximately 10,000, with another 15,000 people taking continuing education courses at the school. TJC has approximately 230 full-time faculty members, keeping the average class size close to 20 students. The school has more than 50 degree options, with a focus on pre-professional offerings in allied health. TJC also offers advanced training in information systems, with concentrations in networking, programming and Web mastering.

Historic Texas College -

The city’s oldest school is Texas College, which was established in 1894 by a group of Christian Methodist Episcopal Church ministers who wanted to provide higher education to African-Americans. Texas College remains affiliated with the CME Church. Among the offerings at Texas College are 16 baccalaureate degree programs and two associate of arts degrees. There is also a special program for working adults that provides a bachelor of science degree in business administration.