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.

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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 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.

2024-2025 Member Schools

Click on a county to learn more about our 2024-2025 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 Frank McKay (fmckay@rti.org) for information on joining the Early College Network.

2025-2026 Early College Network Registration NOW OPEN

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2025-2026 Schedule of Events

Download a one-page version of the 2025-2026 ECN Events Calendar here.

General Session

Aug 26

2025 Virtual Early College Network Kickoff

Virtual

Principals & Assistant Principals

Sep 23

New to the ECN Principals' Session

RTI & Virtual
Sep 23

Fall Statewide ECN Leadership Session at RTI

RTI & Virtual
Oct 21

Virtual ECN Leadership Session for Principals - October

Virtual
TBD Fall

Fall Regional ECN Leadership Site Visit - Central

TBD
Nov 13

Fall Regional ECN Leadership Site Visit - East

Harnett Early College High School
Nov 13

Fall Regional ECN Leadership Site Visit - West

Polk Early College
Nov 18

Virtual ECN Leadership Session for Principals - November

Virtual
Jan 13

Virtual ECN Leadership Session for Principals - January

Virtual
Feb 3

Spring Statewide ECN Leadership Session at RTI

RTI & Virtual
Mar 24

Virtual ECN Leadership Session for Principals - March

Virtual
TBD March

Spring Regional ECN Leadership Site Visit - West

TBD
TBD Spring

Spring Regional ECN Leadership Site Visit - East

TBD

Innovative Practice Study Visits

Oct 7

ECN Innovative Practice Study Visit - East

SEA-Tech High School
Nov 4

ECN Innovative Practice Study Visit - Central

CITI High School
Feb 11

ECN Innovative Practice Study Visit - West

Stanly Early College

Innovative Practice Virtual Workshops

Sep 18

ECN Innovative Practice Virtual Workshop: Student-Centered Teaching Practices

Virtual
Sep 25

ECN Innovative Practice Virtual Workshop: Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Instruction

Virtual
Oct 2

ECN Innovative Practice Virtual Workshop: Supporting First-Generation Students

Virtual
Oct 9

ECN Innovative Practice Virtual Workshop: Supporting Multilingual Learners

Virtual

Counselors & College Liaisons

Oct 8

Fall Statewide ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons at RTI

RTI & Virtual
Oct 28

Fall Regional ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons - East

JP Knapp Early College High School
Oct 30

Fall Regional ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons - West

Rockingham Early College
Nov 13

Virtual ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons - November

Virtual
Dec 4

Virtual ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons - December

Virtual
Feb 5

Virtual ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons - February

Virtual
Mar 24

Spring Regional ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons - East

Warren Early College
Mar 26

Spring Regional ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons - West

Sandhoke Early College
Apr 6

Spring Statewide ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons at RTI

RTI & Virtual
Apr 20

Virtual ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons - April

Virtual

STUDENTS

Oct 24

Fall Student "Game Changer" Virtual Career Panel for ECN Students

Virtual
Nov 18

Virtual Fall College & Career Readiness Development for ECN Students

Virtual
Feb 19

Spring Student "Game Changer" Virtual Career Panel for ECN Students

Virtual
Mar 31

Virtual Spring College & Career Readiness Development for ECN Students

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 Circle

NETWORK DESIGN

Network Design Circle

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 Frank McKay (fmckay@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