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:

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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 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 Half-year Early College Network Registration NOW OPEN

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2024-2025 Schedule of Events

PDF version of 2024-2025 ECN calendar available here

General Session

Aug 28

Welcome to the ECN — 2024 Virtual ECN Kickoff

Virtual

Principals & Assistant Principals

Sep 18

New to ECN Principals' Session

RTI
Sep 18

Fall Principals' Networking Session (RTI)

RTI
Oct 15

Fall Virtual Networking Session for Principals

Virtual
Oct 17

Fall Regional Peer School Review (East)

Person Early College for Innovation & Leadership
Nov 13

Fall Regional Peer School Review (West)

Surry Early College High School
Jan 21

Spring Virtual Networking Session for Principals

Virtual
Feb 13

Spring Principals' Networking Session (RTI)

RTI
Mar 4

Spring Regional Peer School Review (West)

Middle College at UNCG
Mar 18

Spring Regional Peer School Review (East)

Franklin Early College High School

Innovative Practice Study Visits

Oct 21

Fall Innovative Practice Study Visit (West)

Central Piedmont Early College
Oct 22

Fall Innovative Practice Study Visit (East)

CITI High School
Feb 18

Spring Innovative Practice Study Visit (East)

Wake Early College of Information and Biotechnologies
Feb 20

Spring Innovative Practice Study Visit (West)

McDowell Academy for Innovation

Instructional Design Workshop

Sep 24

Early College Instructional Design Workshop (East)

Wayne Community College
Nov 15

Early College Instructional Design Workshop (West)

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Counselors & College Liaisons

Sep 30

Fall Counselor and College Liaison Networking Session (RTI)

RTI
Oct 23

Fall Counselor and College Liaison Regional Networking Session (East)

Early College East
Oct 24

Fall Counselor and College Liaison Networking Session (West)

Union County Early College
Mar 25

Spring Counselor and College Liaison Regional Networking Session (West)

Rockingham Early College High School
Mar 27

Spring Counselor and College Liaison Regional Networking Session (East)

Nash-Rocky Mount Early College High School
Apr 8

Spring Counselor and College Liaison Regional Networking Session (RTI)

RTI

STUDENTS

Oct 29

Fall Student "Game Changer" Virtual Career Panel

Virtual
Nov 12

Fall Virtual Student Leader Networking Session

Virtual
Feb 26

Spring Student "Game Changer" Virtual Career Panel

Virtual
Mar 4

Spring 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 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 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