The Early College High Schools (ECHS) in the United States allow students to receive a high school diploma and an associate degree , or up to two years of college credit , by taking a mixture of high school and college classes. Designed for students traditionally underrepresented in college, the programs differ from dual enrollment , by the intentional supports provided to students. These supports help students to prepare to take dual credit classes while in high school and be ready for the rigorous college work after they graduate from high school. Different from dual enrollment , early colleges also provide pathways leading to some post-secondary credential (such as an associate degree or technical certificate) or transferable college credit. There are different models of early college programs. Some early colleges are stand-alone small schools (whole school model), often located on a college campus, where all students are expected to participate in the program. Other early colleges are programs within comprehensive schools that enroll interested students.
5-561: SandHoke Early College (SHECHS) is an early college school in North Carolina , United States. The name "Sandhoke" is a portmanteau of "Sandhills", the community college system located in Moore county, and "Hoke", the county name. The school is in Hoke County . SHECHS started as a pilot program in 2007 which roughly 50 students enter the school for five years. The primary purpose of the school
10-741: A year, making it one of the largest early college programs in North Carolina. College courses begin in sophomore year. Senior year is spent on the Sandhills Community College campus, located in Pinehurst, NC. SHECHS students participate in a wide array of sports offered by Hoke County Schools. The schools current rating is an "A" school in North Carolina's school grading system. 35°13′12″N 79°24′21″W / 35.2199°N 79.4057°W / 35.2199; -79.4057 Early college high school The first early college in
15-583: Is to allow students considered "first generation" college students or at risk to obtain a 2 year degree. The students agree to attend for five years in order to receive both a high school diploma and associate degree ; in practice the majority of high school students receive their diploma and their associates degree in four years. The students attend a Hoke campus for three years to complete all high school courses. During this time they also begin taking college courses through Sandhills Community College . Since its inception, SHECHS has grown to accept 100-125 applicants
20-752: The Carnegie Corporation of New York , the Ford Foundation , and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation . Over the past two decades, Early Colleges have expanded rapidly nationwide. The initiative originally funded eight intermediary partners to establish and support early college schools and help establish partnerships between school districts and postsecondary institutions. Currently, a number of the intermediary organizations keep providing start-up and ongoing technical support, guidance, and professional development for their networks of schools. Among them are: In 2024, there were more than 1,200 early college programs in
25-516: The United States, Bard College at Simon's Rock, was founded in 1966. In 1974, Middle College High School at LaGuardia Community College opened, serving high school students who were below grade level in reading or math. Over 25 middle colleges were established in the next two decades. The Early College High School Initiative was established in 2002 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation , along with
#554445