A Look at Our Model and Our Lessons Learned

1. A Look at Our Model and Our Lessons Learned North Carolina's First Early College High School

2. 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. North Carolina's First Early College High School

3. 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) North Carolina's First Early College High School

4. 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. North Carolina's First Early College High School

5. 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 North Carolina's First Early College High School

6. Name The Early College at Guilford (ECG) Josephine Dobbs ClementEarly 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 North Carolina's First Early College High School

7. Early Entrance Phenomenon Name 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 North Carolina's First Early College High School

8. Early Entrance Phenomenon Name ECG JDC-Durham BHSEC-New York City SRCB- 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) North Carolina's First Early College High School

9. Our Mission To graduate confident, ethically responsible, lifelong learners who are prepared to succeed in higher education and in the changing world beyond. North Carolina's First Early College High School

10. The Mission of Guilford College 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. Core Purpose: Developing Leaders Who Change the World North Carolina's First Early College High School

11. The Partnership:Towards a Seamless Transition to College College Level 11th and 12th grades Inter-Disciplinary High School Level (Liberal Arts Post-AP Curriculum) 9th and 10th grades Disciplinary—Core Subjects (Honors, AP Curriculum) Guilford College Professors 5 Academic Principles 11th-12th Seminars Guilford County Schools Teachers North Carolina Standard Course of Study Advanced Learner Program (Gifted Program) School Assemblies, 9th-10th Seminars North Carolina's First Early College High School

12. Shining Stars! “jugglers and bikers skateboarders straight A and Tae Kwon Do students pianists, swimmers, polyglots, and gymnasts home run hitters, string pluckers, chess players and community volunteers National Merit Finalists thinkers and doers shining stars.” Tony Lamair Burks II 2002 Opening Assembly Excerpts North Carolina's First Early College High School

13. 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 North Carolina's First Early College High School

14. 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 North Carolina's First Early College High School

15. 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 North Carolina's First Early College High School

16. Having Their Say:Top 10 Things TheyLike About ECGfeedback 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 classes North Carolina's First Early College High School

17. Having Their Say:Top 10 Things TheyLike About ECG feedback from high school-level students Number Six: Exceptional cafeteriafood North Carolina's First Early College High School

18. Having Their Say:Top 10 Things TheyLike About ECG feedback from high school-level students 5. Great facilities 4. Two years of college classes and credit. 3. Beautiful campus 2. Academic challenge with little busywork North Carolina's First Early College High School

19. Having Their Say:Top 10 Things TheyLike About ECGfeedback from high school-level students Number One: Intelligent peers “who get your jokes” North Carolina's First Early College High School

20. The ECG Advantage Ninth 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 North Carolina's First Early College High School

21. The ECG Advantage Eleventh 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 North Carolina's First Early College High School

22. The ECG Advantage Alumni • 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) North Carolina's First Early College High School

23. Admissions Criteria Meet 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 North Carolina's First Early College High School

24. Admissions Criteria Other 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 North Carolina's First Early College High School

25. 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 North Carolina's First Early College High School

26. Early College Days THE 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. North Carolina's First Early College High School

27. Early College Days THE 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. North Carolina's First Early College High School

28. Early College Days THE 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. North Carolina's First Early College High School

29. ECG Myths: Telling the Truth They can’t dance…or can they? North Carolina's First Early College High School

30. ECG Myths Kid Stuff • No dances • No prom • No yearbooks • No school rings • No life North Carolina's First Early College High School

31. ECG Myths Adult stuff • No active PTSA • No parent/guardian involvement • No communication with families • No non-fundraising events North Carolina's First Early College High School

32. ECG Myths School Stuff • No teacher turnover • No rules for students • No electives for students • No sports for students North Carolina's First Early College High School

33. ECG Myths Admissions 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) North Carolina's First Early College High School

34. Lessons: Concept Responding 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? North Carolina's First Early College High School

35. Lessons: Staffing Selection and placement make the difference • Principal • Liaison • Faculty • Staff (counselor, secretary-treasurer-SIMS) North Carolina's First Early College High School

36. ECG Express 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) North Carolina's First Early College High School

37. 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) North Carolina's First Early College High School

38. Lessons: Support Implementation 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) North Carolina's First Early College High School

39. Lessons: Communications Frequency, 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 North Carolina's First Early College High School

40. Lessons: Finances Funding (locally funded magnet school): • tuition • textbooks • staff • Administrative office, facilities, and maintenance (cash and in-kind sources: foundations, businesses, GCS, GC) North Carolina's First Early College High School

41. 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 North Carolina's First Early College High School

42. Lessons: Collaboration • Lean into discomfort • Buy-in of initiative/concept • Negotiating the details • Communicate, communicate, communicate North Carolina's First Early College High School

43. Got Questions? North Carolina's First Early College High School