• Developed in partnership with the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), the NC Community College System and the University of North Carolina, the early college high school initiative launched in 2004 as a way to encourage more students to complete high school and to gain the advanced skills increasingly demanded in the 21st century workplace.  Early colleges aim to graduate students who earn a high school diploma as well as two years of transferable college credit (an associate degree for college transfer) — all at no cost to their families. 
    The first early college in Wake County, Wake Early College of Health and Sciences turned 18 during the 2023-2024 school year.  The continued success of WECHS graduates is a testament to the early college model.  In 2024, WECHS graduates earned the following accolades:
    • 93% of graduates earned a Wake Tech AS or AA degree
    • 10 graduates earned Certified Nursing Assistant certification
    • 3 graduates earned Phlebotomy certification
    • 15 earned Emergency Medical Technician certification
    • 1 student graduating with Pharmacy Tech diploma
    • 2 students have completed the 1st year of the Medical Lab Assisting degree
    • $3.4 million total REPORTED merit-based scholarships offered 

    • Where Are They Going?

      4-Appalachian State University

      2-Campbell University

      2-Duke University

      14-East Carolina University

      2-Meredith College

      13-North Carolina State University

      16-UNC Chapel Hill

      8-UNC Charlotte

      2-UNC-Wilmington

      1 each to:

      Alaska Pacific University

      Queens University

      Paul Mitchell, The School

      The American College of Greece

      UNC-Asheville

      UNC Greensboro

      University of South Carolina

      Several are still deciding which university to attend.