The Academy is one of only two residential programs for gifted and talented high school students recognized by the Texas State Legislature.

The dual-credit program, established by the Texas Legislature in 1993, allows high school juniors and seniors to attend college level classes in order to complete their high school requirements, while at the same time gaining credits that must be accepted by any Texas public college and are transferable to other universities subject to each university's transfer regulations.

Students are required to return to the dorms, which have alarmed gates with a security guard on duty at night, by a curfew of 11:00 P.M. on weeknights and midnight on weekends.

Prior to 1999, parents and/or guardians were required to pay the full cost of each semester as outlined by Lamar University- Beaumont.

Currently, all students attending TALH receive a 100% scholarship for full tuition but must pay the room and board fees of Cardinal Village.