When will the Gaston County Early College High School located on the Gaston College campus officially open its doors to students?
The Gaston County Early College High School will open at the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year.
What are the benefits of attending the Gaston County Early College High School?
The Early College allows high school students to take college courses at no additional cost and graduate from high school with a two-year college degree or certification in a career program in a five-year time frame. This exclusive, non-traditional high school offers Gaston County students a unique opportunity to receive a high school diploma while earning an Associate of Arts degree from the community college.
After graduation from the Early College, students may transfer to a four-year college/university (with two years of college already completed) or enter the workforce with a recognized certification in one of several career areas.
Why is the school system moving the Early College to the Gaston College campus?
State law (General Statue 115C-238.54 – Section 7.1A.(k) requires that the Early College be located on a community college campus unless the county does not have a community college. The Early College cooperative innovative high schools approved by the State Board of Education prior to July 1, 2011 shall meet the requirements of G.S. 115C-238.50A(5) as enacted by subsection (j) of this section no later than July 1, 2014. Any cooperative innovative high school which fails to meet the requirements by that date shall no longer be authorized as a cooperative innovative high school.
Who will have an opportunity to attend the Gaston County Early College High School?
Any current Gaston County eighth grader may apply to attend the Gaston County Early College for the 2012-2013 school year.
How and when do you apply to attend the Early College?
Interested Gaston County students will fill out an application and apply through a lottery process similar to the Highland School of Technology process. The application process will take place in March and the lottery will be in late April.
Will there be transportation?
Yes, transportation will be provided for students through their home high school. The district will use the same transportation plan and model as the one used for the Highland School of Technology.
What is the cost to attend the Gaston County Early College High School?
The Early College High School is a public school and there is no cost to attend.
What about textbooks for the Early College? Will students be required to pay for books?
There is no cost for students – the books for Early College will be paid for by the school system just like books for regular high school classes.
What about sports? Will students have an opportunity to participate in sports?
There will not be any sports teams, cheerleaders or band at the Early College.
However, there will be extra-curricular activities such as clubs, yearbook, newspaper staff, student government, service learning, etc. for students at the Early College.
What will happen to the students who are in the current Bessemer City Early College?
The Bessemer City Early College students will have two options:
1. Transfer to Early College High School at Gaston College
2. Transfer to Bessemer City High School and remain on that campus
Will there be meetings for students in the current Bessemer City Early College and their parents to learn about the changes, relocation and their options?
There will be a meeting on January 18, 2012 at Bessemer City High School for Bessemer City Early College students and their parents to learn about the relocation and changes in the program.
The Bessemer City Early College will host a final optional meeting to answer questions and meet with parents on March 15, 2012 at Parent-Teacher Conferences.
March 30, 2012 is the deadline for Bessemer City Early College students’ decision to transfer to Bessemer City High School or transition to the Gaston County Early College High School.
What about student lunches? How will student meals be provided for at the Early College?
The Gaston County Schools Central Nutrition Production facility will prepare meals for the students at the Early College, just has they do for other schools in the district. Also, a student may choose to bring their lunch.