Early College High School is providing unique opportunities for area students

It has been an intense four years for some Brunswick County students.

Since 2006, students in Brunswick County’s Early College High School program have been studying their high school curriculum while at the same time exploring life in college.

By taking college-level courses at Brunswick Community College, students have the opportunity to finish high school while earning a college-level associate’s degree—in just four years.

The program not only rewards students who are dedicated to it with an early start on college, it also makes the college dream a reality for some students who may have otherwise not have had the opportunity to get a degree or eventually attend a four-year institute of higher learning.

ECHS was made possible through the foresight of Brunswick County Schools officials and a $1.5 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates’ New Schools Project. 

The five-year grant helped the Early College High School become a reality. And that’s a dream ECHS principal Vicky Snyder and others involved with the program are glad to see become real for so many bright, young students in this community.

The Early College High School program has proven itself to be a successful alternative learning tool for some students. It is one that appears to be worth the time, money, energy and talents that have been invested into it.

We support programs such as this that provide opportunities for students from all walks of life to further their education.

On May 27, the “legacy class” of Early College High School will walk across the stage to get their diplomas. They are well-earned. And also noteworthy is that 10 of those students have already earned a college degree from Brunswick Community College. That’s a big feather to wear in their hats, right alongside their much-deserved tassels.

We offer the Early College High School students our congratulations. We wish them the best and know if they continue on the path established through ECHS, they’ll all likely do well in life.

Congratulations, Class of 2010.