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:
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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.
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
- Registration to the 2026 Early College Summit
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
2025-2026 Schedule of Events
The 2025-2026 ECN Schedule of Events will be posted in July 2025. Please contact Frank McKay (fmckay@rti.org) for more information.
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 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
