north carolina's first early college high school a look at our model and our lessons learned

North Carolina's First Early College High School

A Look at Our Model and Our Lessons Learned

The Early College at Guilford

What’s in a Name?Our name speaks to: our district (Guilford County Schools) our college (Guilford College), and our county (Guilford County, North

Carolina).

All represent our home.



A Short History of ECG 2001: Guilford County Schools

(GCS) was hungry for a high school option for gifted students.

GCS collaborated with Guilford College to establish The Early College at Guilford (ECG)


A Short History of ECG 2002: ECG opened to provide high

achievers with a quality education in a supportive learning environment.

ECG builds upon the successes of dual enrollment offerings, AP/IB programs, and middle college high schools.

Why an early college?

Reflections of Dr. Terry B. Grier, former superintendent GCS:

Options to engage students and families Cutting-edge concept Support of Plan for Advanced Learners



Name The Early College at Guilford (ECG)

Josephine Dobbs

Clement Early College High School (JDC)

Bard High School Early College (BHSEC)

Simon's Rock College of Bard (SRCB)

Founded 2002 2004 2001 1966

Population Motivated students including Advanced Learners (“Academically Gifted”)

“Under-served”

Academically Gifted

Academically Gifted

Organizer(s) GCS and Guilford College

Durham PS and NC Central University

NYC BOE and Bard College

Elizabeth Blodgett Hall

Early Entrance Phenomenon

Early Entrance PhenomenonName ECG JDC BHSEC SRCB

Funder(s) GCS and donors

Gates funding et al.

NYC BOE and Bard College(some Gates Funding)

Bard College (an affiliate since 1979)

Location Greensboro, NC – Guilford College Campus

Raleigh, NC – NC Central University campus

New York, NY – separate campus

Great Barrington, MA – separate campus

Current Enrollment

162 400, projected 500 450


Early Entrance PhenomenonName ECG JDC-Durham BHSEC-New

York CitySRCB- Great Barrington

Grade Span 9, 10, 11, 12 9, 10, 11, 12 9, 10, 11 (yr 1), 12 (yr 2)

11, 12, 13, 14

Curriculum Honors and AP

Science, technology, and int’l affairs

Honors and AP

Liberal arts and sciences

Faculty GCS/GC faculty

DPS/NCCU faculty

NYCBOE faculty

SRCB faculty

Diploma and/or Degree

HS diploma and college credits (Dual enrollment)

HS diploma, college credits and/or AA degree (Dual enrollment)

HS diploma and AA degree (Dual enrollment)

AA and BA degrees (No HS diploma)



To graduate confident, ethically responsible, lifelong learners who are prepared to succeed in higher education and in the changing world

beyond.

Our Mission

Core Purpose: Developing Leaders Who Change the World

To provide an excellent, transformative liberal arts education

where the institution and its members model values, behaviors, and attitudes

that develop critical thinkers and social change

agents based on the Quaker principles of integrity, peace, equality and simplicity in a strong, inclusive

learning community.

The Mission of Guilford College



The Partnership:Towards a Seamless Transition to College

College Level11th and 12th gradesInter-Disciplinary

High School Level (Liberal Arts Post-AP Curriculum)9th and 10th grades Disciplinary—Core Subjects(Honors, AP Curriculum)

Guilford College Professors5 Academic Principles11th-12th Seminars

Guilford County Schools TeachersNorth Carolina Standard Course of StudyAdvanced Learner Program (Gifted Program)School Assemblies, 9th-10th Seminars

“jugglers and bikersskateboarders

straight A and Tae Kwon Do studentspianists, swimmers, polyglots, and gymnasts

home run hitters, string pluckers, chess playersand community volunteers

National Merit Finaliststhinkers and doers

shining stars.”

Tony Lamair Burks II2002 Opening Assembly Excerpts

Shining Stars!



Having Their Say

“[The School] is a wonderful option for students who need different challenges as well as additional

challenges. [It] was designed to give them work that stretches their

brains…”-Parent/Guardian


Having Their Say

It’s a joy to watch them before, during and after class (when

they gather in the hall to amplify and elaborate the

“stuff” of the class).

-College Professor

Having Their Say

Coming to ECG was a great decision for me. I love having more freedom to express myself academically, creatively and personally….The professors are committed and enthusiastic about their classes and the classes are interesting and promote discussion.

-College-level student


Having Their Say:Top 10 Things They

Like About ECG feedback from high school-level students

10. Over 24 clubs and organizations

9. Diverse student body

8. Great/relaxed learning environment

7. Small/intimate school and classesNorth Carolina's First Early College High School


Like About ECG feedback from high school-level students Number Six:

Exceptional

cafeteria foodNorth Carolina's First Early College High School



5. Great facilities

4. Two years of college classes and credit.

3. Beautiful campus

2. Academic challenge with little busywork





Number One:

Intelligent peers “who get your jokes”


The ECG AdvantageNinth and Tenth Graders NO lockers NO hall passes Hege Library Explorations and

Explorations Speakers Series Honors and AP Courses 20+ student-run clubs and organizations Freedom with responsibility


The ECG AdvantageEleventh and Twelfth Graders Create your own schedule College courses and college professors Resources (laboratories, Academic Skills

Center, library) Opportunities (Community of Writers

“COWS”, Assistants, Internships, Service) Bryan Lecture Series and Thematic Years Freedom with responsibility


The ECG AdvantageAlumni Two years of college credit Ability to navigate a college campus Advanced standing at many colleges Interaction and communication with college

professors The gift of time to explore an array of

opportunities (study abroad, multiple majors, research)


Admissions CriteriaMeet or exceed the parameters of at least

four of the five below: Essay: A minimum of 2 on a 3 point holistic scale Grades: B average; unweighted grade point

average of 3.0 or better Recommendations: positive academic and

community recommendations Standardized Test Results: End-of-Grade/End-of-

Course results, scores mostly at performance level 4 with a few at 3; PSAT/SAT results, when scores are available

Interview: A minimum of 2 on a 3 point holistic scale


Admissions CriteriaOther considerations:

Leadership or service experience Intellectual curiosity and ability to do

accelerated work Interest in the early college concept Unique talents or interests Motivation and self-discipline Rigor/difficulty of middle/high school

courses taken


Early College Days

Prospective students will attend one Early College day to:

– interview with Admissions Team representatives– meet our students and their families– write an additional essay


Early College DaysTHE INTERVIEWS

Faculty and staff will conduct individual and group interviews of all applicants.

Interviews are conducted to personalize the process and allow us to get to know applicants a little better.


Early College DaysTHE MEETING

Local game inventor Steve Herbolich will bring his game Askew! to campus so that current and prospective students may ask questions of each other all while having fun. Parents and guardians will have opportunities for informal conversations about the ECG experience.


Early College DaysTHE ESSAY

The essay will be written on one of these writing prompts:

A. Which quality about yourself would you most like to see flourish and which would you like to see wither?

B. Write a journal entry in which you describe and analyze a significant educational experience. The experience may be positive or negative.

C. Tell the story of a time in which you took a risk and failed. What did you learn from this experience?

Students may not bring any outlines, notes, or electronic devices into the writing experience.


ECG Myths: Telling the Truth

They can’t dance…or can they?


ECG Myths

Kid Stuff No dances No prom No yearbooks No school rings No life


ECG Myths

Adult stuff No active PTSA No parent/guardian

involvement No communication

with families No non-fundraising

events


ECG Myths

School Stuff No teacher turnover No rules for

students No electives for

students No sports for

students


ECG MythsAdmissions Stuff Applications are considered

“first-come/first-serve” (Nope, they are reviewed after the due date. Early submitters do not have any advantage.)

75 students are accepted to the ninth grade. (Nope, 50 are accepted to the ninth grade. Students are admitted to other grades as spaces are available)

Admissions decisions won’t be made until June 1. (Nope, our goal is to have all decisions made by May 1. Historically we have finished ahead of schedule)

Only a certain number are accepted from each middle school. (Nope, the school seeks to enroll motivated and capable students from across the district using its holistic admissions process)

Lessons: ConceptResponding to questions: What is an early college? Is it a program or a school? Why an early college versus a traditional

high school? How is it not a brain drain for a traditional

high school? How should it be funded? How do you get away with that policy/issue?


Lessons: Staffing

Selection and placement make the difference

PrincipalLiaisonFacultyStaff (counselor, secretary-treasurer-SIMS)


Get on the bus and in the right

seat(departments of one)

Get off the bus when the time is

right(4 science teachers in 3 years)

ECG Express


Lessons: Academics

Advanced Placement course scheduling (fall versus spring)

Alignment of school and college calendars and schedules

College level Expectations (absences, make-up work, field trips)


Lessons: SupportImplementation Dip Student Orientation Grade-level seminars (Success Skills,

time management, studying, problem-solving)

Academic Skills Center (Chem 911, COWs, tutors)

Poor Performance Policy (Academic Probation/Academic Suspension)


Lessons: CommunicationsFrequency, quality, quantity School Website Blackboard Connect Communicator

System (www.blackboard.com)

Backpack Express Parent-Guardian Network meetings Guilford College e-mail accounts for all

students Surveys and Status Checks


Lessons: FinancesFunding (locally funded magnet school):

tuition textbooks staff Administrative office, facilities, and

maintenance

(cash and in-kind sources: foundations, businesses, GCS, GC)


Lessons: Growth

Admission and Advancement Capable and Diverse

The Tipping Point Personalization Space for classes and labs Behavior and In School/Out of School

Suspension Enrollment for required courses


Lessons: Collaboration

Lean into discomfort Buy-in of initiative/concept Negotiating the details Communicate, communicate,

communicate


Got Questions?


north carolina's first early college high school a look at our model and our lessons learned

Documents

college guilford college

middle college high

guilford ecg slide

guilford college durham

gates funding bard college

high school option

high achievers

mission slide