Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Early College?
Early College High Schools are small schools from which students can graduate with a high school diploma plus an associate degree. They offer personalized learning environments, a common and coherent focus, and they emphasize accelerated learning for students. Legislative actions over the last several years have lowered legal barriers and enabled these innovative approaches to learning.
Why is Wake County opening the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences?
The Wake Early College of Health and Sciences is the natural outgrowth of Governor Easley's Learn and Earn Initiative, the New Schools Project, workforce development, and high school reform. It is also the product of growing relationships between the leadership of WakeMed Health & Hospitals, Wake Technical Community College, and the Wake County Public School System. These leaders recognize the need for a personalized, rigorous, innovative high school themed around the health and sciences.
What is the vision of the Wake Early College High School?
The Wake Early College of Health and Sciences (WECHS) is a small, nimble, autonomous school that offers a rigorous program of studies, supported by the positive relations formed in smaller environments, and wrapped around a relevant theme to give meaning to courses once viewed as disconnected. With proper support, all students will be expected to master the most rigorous courses. The WECHS will enrich learning by allowing students to be mentored and advised by one of the many professionals employed in the county's largest health care provider. The development of such a school contributes to the economic development of the area by allowing students to investigate health and science vocations through a workforce development program.
Who will the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences serve?
The Wake Early College of Health and Sciences (WECHS) serves students motivated by the opportunities offered by a college setting, curriculum, and career connections. The WECHS opens with no more than 100 students in August 2006. In order to maintain the rigor, relevance, and relationships, full enrollment in the WECHS should not exceed 400 students over the five-year experience.
Where is the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences located?
The Wake Early College of Health and Sciences (WECHS) is located on the Wake Technical Community College Health Sciences campus adjacent to the Raleigh campus of WakeMed Health & Hospitals. The facility is located at 2901 Holston Lane, Raleigh, N.C. 27610.
What is the transportation plan for Wake Early College of Health and Sciences students?
Students may ride express buses from regional sites near their home to the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences (WECHS) site or provide their own transportation. Capital Area Transit (CAT) buses also stop at the WECHS site regularly.
What does a typical student day look like?
Most students at the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences will study between 8 AM and 4 PM daily. Their studies may include classes, labs, PULSE, tutorial, academic advising, faculty-student meetings, and career counseling. Students will eat an on-campus lunch provided by Child Nutrition Services and local restaurants at a time convenient to their schedule. Transportation schedules may dictate the time of learning opportunities.
What is PULSE?
PULSE is an acronym designed to remind students to check their Participation, Understanding, Leadership, Scholarship, and Excellence and represents a course imbedded in every student's schedule. PULSE classes are small and are led by one member of the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences staff who will loop with students throughout their high school tenure. "Checking your PULSE" will be a daily event for students.
What structures support students at the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences?
All students will be known well by at least one member of the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences staff. In addition, students will have imbedded tutorial time, career counseling, educational advisement, and a personal learning environment where academic growth and excellence are common goals. Students experience seamless curricula between high school and college that eases the transition from secondary to post-secondary experiences.
How is the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences different from other high schools in the area?
The Wake Early College of Health and Sciences (WECHS) is a magnet school focused on health and sciences. All students will follow the College/University Prep Course of Study and/or graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree in a health discipline, providing them with skills and knowledge for employment in a health career. Two unique features of the WECHS are the partnership it represents (Wake County Public Schools, Wake Technical Community College and WakeMed Health & Hospitals) and its location on the Health Sciences campus of Wake Tech. Another important feature is the personalized environment the school will offer. With no more than 400 students, the WECHS promises to provide the most individualized environment available to Wake County students. Students will have the opportunity to enroll in unique classes (both high school and college level) specifically designed for the WECHS around the health and sciences theme.
What post-secondary opportunities exist?
Wake Early College of Health and Sciences (WECHS) students will be able to graduate in five years with a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) degree. College credits completed while enrolled in the WECHS will be tuition-free and may be transferable to a four-year institution. Progress toward the AS, AS or AAS degree is not merely a privilege of the partnership- it is an expectation of WECHS students.