North Carolina's First Early College High School A Look at Our Model and Our Lessons Learned
Dec 17, 2015
North Carolina's First Early College High School
A Look at Our Model and Our Lessons Learned
The Early College at Guilford
What’s in a Name?Our name speaks to: our district (Guilford County Schools) our college (Guilford College), and our county (Guilford County, North
Carolina).
All represent our home.
North Carolina's First Early College High School
North Carolina's First Early College High School
A Short History of ECG 2001: Guilford County Schools
(GCS) was hungry for a high school option for gifted students.
GCS collaborated with Guilford College to establish The Early College at Guilford (ECG)
North Carolina's First Early College High School
A Short History of ECG 2002: ECG opened to provide high
achievers with a quality education in a supportive learning environment.
ECG builds upon the successes of dual enrollment offerings, AP/IB programs, and middle college high schools.
Why an early college?
Reflections of Dr. Terry B. Grier, former superintendent GCS:
Options to engage students and families Cutting-edge concept Support of Plan for Advanced Learners
North Carolina's First Early College High School
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Name The Early College at Guilford (ECG)
Josephine Dobbs
Clement Early College High School (JDC)
Bard High School Early College (BHSEC)
Simon's Rock College of Bard (SRCB)
Founded 2002 2004 2001 1966
Population Motivated students including Advanced Learners (“Academically Gifted”)
“Under-served”
Academically Gifted
Academically Gifted
Organizer(s) GCS and Guilford College
Durham PS and NC Central University
NYC BOE and Bard College
Elizabeth Blodgett Hall
Early Entrance Phenomenon
Early Entrance PhenomenonName ECG JDC BHSEC SRCB
Funder(s) GCS and donors
Gates funding et al.
NYC BOE and Bard College(some Gates Funding)
Bard College (an affiliate since 1979)
Location Greensboro, NC – Guilford College Campus
Raleigh, NC – NC Central University campus
New York, NY – separate campus
Great Barrington, MA – separate campus
Current Enrollment
162 400, projected 500 450
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Early Entrance PhenomenonName ECG JDC-Durham BHSEC-New
York CitySRCB- Great Barrington
Grade Span 9, 10, 11, 12 9, 10, 11, 12 9, 10, 11 (yr 1), 12 (yr 2)
11, 12, 13, 14
Curriculum Honors and AP
Science, technology, and int’l affairs
Honors and AP
Liberal arts and sciences
Faculty GCS/GC faculty
DPS/NCCU faculty
NYCBOE faculty
SRCB faculty
Diploma and/or Degree
HS diploma and college credits (Dual enrollment)
HS diploma, college credits and/or AA degree (Dual enrollment)
HS diploma and AA degree (Dual enrollment)
AA and BA degrees (No HS diploma)
North Carolina's First Early College High School
North Carolina's First Early College High School
To graduate confident, ethically responsible, lifelong learners who are prepared to succeed in higher education and in the changing world
beyond.
Our Mission
Core Purpose: Developing Leaders Who Change the World
To provide an excellent, transformative liberal arts education
where the institution and its members model values, behaviors, and attitudes
that develop critical thinkers and social change
agents based on the Quaker principles of integrity, peace, equality and simplicity in a strong, inclusive
learning community.
The Mission of Guilford College
North Carolina's First Early College High School
North Carolina's First Early College High School
The Partnership:Towards a Seamless Transition to College
College Level11th and 12th gradesInter-Disciplinary
High School Level (Liberal Arts Post-AP Curriculum)9th and 10th grades Disciplinary—Core Subjects(Honors, AP Curriculum)
Guilford College Professors5 Academic Principles11th-12th Seminars
Guilford County Schools TeachersNorth Carolina Standard Course of StudyAdvanced Learner Program (Gifted Program)School Assemblies, 9th-10th Seminars
“jugglers and bikersskateboarders
straight A and Tae Kwon Do studentspianists, swimmers, polyglots, and gymnasts
home run hitters, string pluckers, chess playersand community volunteers
National Merit Finaliststhinkers and doers
shining stars.”
Tony Lamair Burks II2002 Opening Assembly Excerpts
Shining Stars!
North Carolina's First Early College High School
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Having Their Say
“[The School] is a wonderful option for students who need different challenges as well as additional
challenges. [It] was designed to give them work that stretches their
brains…”-Parent/Guardian
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Having Their Say
It’s a joy to watch them before, during and after class (when
they gather in the hall to amplify and elaborate the
“stuff” of the class).
-College Professor
Having Their Say
Coming to ECG was a great decision for me. I love having more freedom to express myself academically, creatively and personally….The professors are committed and enthusiastic about their classes and the classes are interesting and promote discussion.
-College-level student
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Having Their Say:Top 10 Things They
Like About ECG feedback from high school-level students
10. Over 24 clubs and organizations
9. Diverse student body
8. Great/relaxed learning environment
7. Small/intimate school and classesNorth Carolina's First Early College High School
Having Their Say:Top 10 Things They
Like About ECG feedback from high school-level students Number Six:
Exceptional
cafeteria foodNorth Carolina's First Early College High School
Having Their Say:Top 10 Things They
Like About ECG feedback from high school-level students
5. Great facilities
4. Two years of college classes and credit.
3. Beautiful campus
2. Academic challenge with little busywork
North Carolina's First Early College High School
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Having Their Say:Top 10 Things They
Like About ECG feedback from high school-level students
Number One:
Intelligent peers “who get your jokes”
North Carolina's First Early College High School
The ECG AdvantageNinth and Tenth Graders NO lockers NO hall passes Hege Library Explorations and
Explorations Speakers Series Honors and AP Courses 20+ student-run clubs and organizations Freedom with responsibility
North Carolina's First Early College High School
The ECG AdvantageEleventh and Twelfth Graders Create your own schedule College courses and college professors Resources (laboratories, Academic Skills
Center, library) Opportunities (Community of Writers
“COWS”, Assistants, Internships, Service) Bryan Lecture Series and Thematic Years Freedom with responsibility
North Carolina's First Early College High School
The ECG AdvantageAlumni Two years of college credit Ability to navigate a college campus Advanced standing at many colleges Interaction and communication with college
professors The gift of time to explore an array of
opportunities (study abroad, multiple majors, research)
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Admissions CriteriaMeet or exceed the parameters of at least
four of the five below: Essay: A minimum of 2 on a 3 point holistic scale Grades: B average; unweighted grade point
average of 3.0 or better Recommendations: positive academic and
community recommendations Standardized Test Results: End-of-Grade/End-of-
Course results, scores mostly at performance level 4 with a few at 3; PSAT/SAT results, when scores are available
Interview: A minimum of 2 on a 3 point holistic scale
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Admissions CriteriaOther considerations:
Leadership or service experience Intellectual curiosity and ability to do
accelerated work Interest in the early college concept Unique talents or interests Motivation and self-discipline Rigor/difficulty of middle/high school
courses taken
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Early College Days
Prospective students will attend one Early College day to:
– interview with Admissions Team representatives– meet our students and their families– write an additional essay
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Early College DaysTHE INTERVIEWS
Faculty and staff will conduct individual and group interviews of all applicants.
Interviews are conducted to personalize the process and allow us to get to know applicants a little better.
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Early College DaysTHE MEETING
Local game inventor Steve Herbolich will bring his game Askew! to campus so that current and prospective students may ask questions of each other all while having fun. Parents and guardians will have opportunities for informal conversations about the ECG experience.
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Early College DaysTHE ESSAY
The essay will be written on one of these writing prompts:
A. Which quality about yourself would you most like to see flourish and which would you like to see wither?
B. Write a journal entry in which you describe and analyze a significant educational experience. The experience may be positive or negative.
C. Tell the story of a time in which you took a risk and failed. What did you learn from this experience?
Students may not bring any outlines, notes, or electronic devices into the writing experience.
North Carolina's First Early College High School
ECG Myths: Telling the Truth
They can’t dance…or can they?
North Carolina's First Early College High School
ECG Myths
Kid Stuff No dances No prom No yearbooks No school rings No life
North Carolina's First Early College High School
ECG Myths
Adult stuff No active PTSA No parent/guardian
involvement No communication
with families No non-fundraising
events
North Carolina's First Early College High School
ECG Myths
School Stuff No teacher turnover No rules for
students No electives for
students No sports for
students
North Carolina's First Early College High School
ECG MythsAdmissions Stuff Applications are considered
“first-come/first-serve” (Nope, they are reviewed after the due date. Early submitters do not have any advantage.)
75 students are accepted to the ninth grade. (Nope, 50 are accepted to the ninth grade. Students are admitted to other grades as spaces are available)
Admissions decisions won’t be made until June 1. (Nope, our goal is to have all decisions made by May 1. Historically we have finished ahead of schedule)
Only a certain number are accepted from each middle school. (Nope, the school seeks to enroll motivated and capable students from across the district using its holistic admissions process)
Lessons: ConceptResponding to questions: What is an early college? Is it a program or a school? Why an early college versus a traditional
high school? How is it not a brain drain for a traditional
high school? How should it be funded? How do you get away with that policy/issue?
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Lessons: Staffing
Selection and placement make the difference
PrincipalLiaisonFacultyStaff (counselor, secretary-treasurer-SIMS)
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Get on the bus and in the right
seat(departments of one)
Get off the bus when the time is
right(4 science teachers in 3 years)
ECG Express
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Lessons: Academics
Advanced Placement course scheduling (fall versus spring)
Alignment of school and college calendars and schedules
College level Expectations (absences, make-up work, field trips)
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Lessons: SupportImplementation Dip Student Orientation Grade-level seminars (Success Skills,
time management, studying, problem-solving)
Academic Skills Center (Chem 911, COWs, tutors)
Poor Performance Policy (Academic Probation/Academic Suspension)
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Lessons: CommunicationsFrequency, quality, quantity School Website Blackboard Connect Communicator
System (www.blackboard.com)
Backpack Express Parent-Guardian Network meetings Guilford College e-mail accounts for all
students Surveys and Status Checks
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Lessons: FinancesFunding (locally funded magnet school):
tuition textbooks staff Administrative office, facilities, and
maintenance
(cash and in-kind sources: foundations, businesses, GCS, GC)
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Lessons: Growth
Admission and Advancement Capable and Diverse
The Tipping Point Personalization Space for classes and labs Behavior and In School/Out of School
Suspension Enrollment for required courses
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Lessons: Collaboration
Lean into discomfort Buy-in of initiative/concept Negotiating the details Communicate, communicate,
communicate
North Carolina's First Early College High School
Got Questions?
North Carolina's First Early College High School