Early College High Schools

Only students who are enrolled in a Wake County Public School System school can apply.

If your student does not currently attend a WCPSS school (ie. rising into kindergarten, homeschooled, or currently attending a charter or private school) they will need to enroll first and get a student ID number prior to submitting an application.

Start your WCPSS enrollment at least a full week prior to the time you plan to submit your application. It takes 24-48 hours for a student ID number to become active in the application portal. You'll need that student ID number to apply so be sure to plan ahead! 

Enroll for 2026-27

Considering schools for your application is an important step for your family. 

No matter which schools you apply to, you can count on a high-quality education. All schools in the Wake County Public School System follow the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and offer rigorous curriculum and learning experiences.

View school offerings

Start by visiting the websites of the schools you're interested in. Each school has unique offerings—like student clubs and academic programs—that may help you determine which ones could be a good fit for your student. 

Schedule a school tour

All our Early Colleges offer school tours. Contact the Magnet Coordinator at the school to find a time to visit that works for your families schedule. 

Consider Transportation Services

When selecting schools to apply to, it’s important to also consider transportation options. Make sure your family’s needs are met by checking transportation availability before you submit your application:

• Use our address look-up tool to search your address and see the transportation options for magnet and year-round application schools.

• Some schools require families to drive students to school or to an express bus stop.

• Students receiving neighborhood bus service may experience ride times longer than one hour.

The application includes a student-written essay for each school to which you apply, recommendations from the ELA teacher, the math teacher and a school administrator or school counselor, plus two years of prior grades, current grades, and two years of prior standardized test scores.

You may apply anytime during the WCPSS Early College Application Window at  wcpss.schoolmint.com.  

• Applications are not first-come, first-served.
• You may apply to any early college for which you are eligible. 
• Applicants should only apply to a school or schools they want to attend. 
• Families can apply to more than one school, including applying to multiple magnet and choice schools.
• Applications are prioritized based on the type of school.
• Approval is not guaranteed.

Emails to the recommenders are not sent until the application is submitted.

Students who are selected will be automatically assigned to the school for which they are selected.

New to Wake County? You can submit a transfer request at submit a transfer request at wcpss.schoolmint.com within 10 days of enrolling. If accepted, your student could start their new school during the current school year.

Missed the initial application window?  You can participate in the Second Round Application Window  at wcpss.schoolmint.com. 

You'll be notified by email when your application is processed. 

In the application portal, you will see one of the following by the application school: 

🟠 Orange dot: submitted (not processed) 

🟢 Green dot: assigned (approved)  

🔴 Red dot: unassigned (not approved) 

Applicants who are selected for a magnet school, an early college, or a year-round school to which they applied are automatically assigned to that school. Magnet, early college, or year-round application results are not eligible for appeal. If you are not satisfied with your school placement, you may submit a transfer request to be assigned back to your base school during the "Request for Transfer Period". Acceptance is guaranteed if the request is made within the Request for Transfer period, unless the base school has an enrollment cap. 

Students who do not receive a seat at their first-choice magnet, early college, or year-round school, will be placed on a non-numeric waiting list, known as an applicant pool, for the school you listed as your first choice.  If you applied to more than one school, you may be assigned to one of your other choices and remain in the applicant pool for your first choice magnet, early college, or year-round school. Applicant pools will be reviewed in the spring. You will be notified via your online account or email if you receive a seat in your first-choice school.