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 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.
2025-2026 Member Schools
Click on a county to learn more about our 2025-2026 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, and teachers
- Professional Learning Pathways that provide professional learning opportunities focused on high-leverage topics for early colleges
- Role-Alike Communities of Practice (CoPs) for core instructional staff members
- 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.
2026-2027 Schedule of Events
General Session
2026 Virtual Early College Network Kickoff
Virtual
Principals & Assistant Principals
Virtual Monthly ECN Leadership Sessions: September
Virtual
New to the ECN Principals' Session
RTI & Virtual
Fall Statewide ECN Leadership Session at RTI
RTI & Virtual
Virtual Monthly ECN Leadership Sessions: November
Virtual
Virtual Monthly ECN Leadership Sessions: December
Virtual
Virtual Monthly ECN Leadership Sessions: January
Virtual
Spring Statewide ECN Leadership Session at RTI
RTI &Virtual
Virtual Monthly ECN Leadership Sessions: March
Virtual
Virtual Monthly ECN Leadership Sessions: April
Virtual
Professional Learning Pathways
ECN Professional Learning Pathway: Core Practices for Rigorous and Engaging Instruction
Virtual Workshops on Oct 6 & TBD with Study Visits on Nov 16 & 17
ECN Professional Learning Pathway: Integrating AI across the Curriculum
Virtual Workshops on Oct 12 & 29 with Study Visits on Nov 9 & 19
ECN Professional Learning Pathway: Supporting Multilingual Learners
Virtual Workshops on Oct 8 & 13 with Study Visits on Nov 12 & 18
ECN Professional Learning Pathway: Making Work-based Learning Work
Virtual Workshops on Oct 8 & 26 with Study Visits on Nov 5 & 10
Counselors & College Liaisons
Virtual Monthly ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons: September
Virtual
Fall Statewide ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons at RTI
RTI & Virtual
Virtual Monthly ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons: November
Virtual
Virtual Monthly ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons: December
Virtual
Virtual Monthly ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons: January
Virtual
Spring Statewide ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons at RTI
RTI & Virtual
Virtual Monthly ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons: March
Virtual
Virtual Monthly ECN Session for Counselors & College Liaisons: April
Virtual
Content-Alike Communities of Practice for Instructional Staff
ECN Roll-Alike Community of Practice: Math
Virtual, Scheduled by ECN Facilitator
ECN Roll-Alike Community of Practice: Science
Virtual, Scheduled by ECN Facilitator
ECN Roll-Alike Community of Practice: English Language Arts
Virtual, Scheduled by ECN Facilitator
ECN Roll-Alike Community of Practice: Humanities
Virtual, Scheduled by ECN Facilitator
ECN Roll-Alike Community of Practice: Project-Based Learning (PBL)
Virtual, Scheduled by ECN Facilitator
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
