The Early College Network (ECN) is a peer learning community of schools that utilize a dual enrollment strategy to permit students to earn both high school and college credit concurrently.
For Current Members:
Access Amaze for Resources, Tools and Member Discussions
These innovative, public high schools blur the lines between high school and college and in 4-5 years students graduate with a high school diploma, associate degree, and/or up to two years of college credit, and/or certified work credentials. All at no additional cost to students’ families.
Since its inception in 2017, the ECN has convened principals, counselors, college liaisons, and teachers to share best practices, learn from one another, and advocate together to support student access and success in high school and beyond. The ECN has defined a shared identity and established a roadmap to better match the current and changing needs of students and communities. Developed by principals in the network, the Next Generation Early College Framework guides the overall work of the network.
2023-2024 Member Schools
Click on a county to learn more about our 2023-2024 member schools.
Early College Network Membership
Yearly membership begins in August and schools can choose either Option 1: Standard Membership or Option 2: Build Your Own Membership. Download a full description of the membership benefits for both option 1 and option 2.
Option 1: Standard Membership Benefits
- Peer networking events for principals, counselors and college liaisons, teachers, and students
- Study visits hosted at member Early College High Schools focused on best practices and overall implementation of the Design Principles in the Next Generation Early College Framework
- Virtual Career Panels and Leadership Sessions for students and student leaders
- NC Education Policy updates throughout the year
Option 2: Build Your Own Membership Benefits
- Design your Early College Network membership to best fit the needs of your school based on the options listed in the description of membership benefits
Become a Member!
Contact Ashley Konopko (akonopko@rti.org) for information on joining the Early College Network.
2024-2025 Schedule of Events
PDF version of 2024-2025 ECN calendar available here
General Session
Welcome to the ECN — 2024 Virtual ECN Kickoff
Virtual
Principals & Assistant Principals
New to ECN Principals' Session
RTI
Fall Principals' Networking Session (RTI)
RTI
Fall Virtual Networking Session for Principals
Virtual
Fall Regional Peer School Review (East)
Person Early College for Innovation & Leadership
Fall Regional Peer School Review (West)
Surry Early College High School
Innovative Practice Study Visits
Fall Innovative Practice Study Visit (West)
Central Piedmont Early College
Fall Innovative Practice Study Visit (East)
CITI High School
Spring Innovative Practice Study Visit (East)
Wake Early College of Information and Biotechnologies
Instructional Design Workshop
Early College Instructional Design Workshop (East)
Wayne Community College
Early College Instructional Design Workshop (West)
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Counselors & College Liaisons
Fall Counselor and College Liaison Networking Session (RTI)
RTI
Fall Counselor and College Liaison Regional Networking Session (East)
Early College East
Fall Counselor and College Liaison Networking Session (West)
Union County Early College
Spring Counselor and College Liaison Regional Networking Session (West)
Rockingham Early College High School
Spring Counselor and College Liaison Regional Networking Session (East)
Nash-Rocky Mount Early College High School
STUDENTS
Fall Student "Game Changer" Virtual Career Panel
Virtual
Fall Virtual Student Leader Networking Session
Virtual
Network Design
The ECN, along with other Networks facilitated by RTI, follow a set of nine professional learning design tenets and three network design tenets:
NETWORK DESIGN
Networks hosted by the Center for Education Services are guided by three additional design tenets:
Membership
Networks are communities of practice that are led by members who share common interests and challenges.
Strong Relationships
Network activities cultivate intentional bonds and bridges among members of the community that extend beyond formal convenings.
Environmental Influence
Members collaborate to influence the environment in which they operate through collective advocacy.
Become an Early College Network Member.
Contact Ashley Konopko (akonopko@rti.org) for information on joining the Early College Network.
One of the best things I have done this year is being a part of the Early College Network.
– Bobby Dixon, Principal, Chatham School of Science and Engineering
