MISSION STATEMENT
LEE EARLY COLLEGE GRADUATES WILL BE COLLABORATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKERS, EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATORS, LIFELONG LEARNERS WITH AN ENTHUSIASM FOR CURIOSITY, RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS THROUGH POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY, SCHOLARS, TECHNOLOGICALLY PROFICIENT, AND WORKFORCE READY.
THE BASICS
- First day of school: August 6, 2008
- Last day of school: May 22, 2009
- School Mascot: Cobras
- School Colors: Red, Black & Silver
- Serves Grades: 9-13
- School Day Runs: 10:00am-5:00pm
- Year School Opened: August 2006
- School Address: 1105 Kelly Drive, Sanford NC 27330
FAQ
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 has Lee County opened Lee Early College?
Lee Early College 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 Central Carolina Community College, the Lee County School System and area industries and businesses. These leaders recognized the need for a personalized, rigorous, innovative high school with the goal of producing highly educated and trained graduates.
What is the vision of Lee Early College?
Lee Early College is a small, nimble, autonomous school that offers a rigorous program of study which is supported by positive relations formed in smaller environments. With proper support, all students will be expected to master the most rigorous courses at the high school and community college levels. LEC will enrich learning by allowing students to be mentored and advised by community college instructor/advisers who will impart knowledge specific to their area of expertise.
Who will Lee Early College serve?
Lee Early College serves students motivated by the opportunities offered by a college setting, curriculum, and career connections. In order to maintain the design principals fundamental to the redesigned high school model, full enrollment should not exceed 400 students over the five-year experience.
How does a student enroll at Lee Early College?
Lee Early College currently only accepts incoming 9th graders. Exceptions can be made if an Early College student is transferring to LEC from out of county. Applications to enroll at LEC are due to 8th grade counselors on January 30, 2009. An application can be downloaded here.
Where is Lee Early College located?
Lee Early College is located in the Bell Building on the Central Carolina Community College main campus. The facility is located at 1105 Kelly Drive, Sanford NC 27330. For a campus map, click here.
What is the transportation plan for Lee Early College students?
Transportation to Lee Early College is provided by the Lee County School System. Students can be picked up and dropped off by using the parking lot located behind Joyner Hall.
What does a typical student day look like?
Most students at Lee Early College will study between 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Their studies may include classes, labs, AVID, smartLUNCH, academic advising, seminars, faculty-student meetings, and career counseling. Students may eat an on-campus lunch provided by Child Nutrition Services or by an on campus Subway franchise at a time convenient to their schedule.
What post-secondary opportunities exist?
Lee Early College students will be able to graduate in four to five years with a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) degree. All students will follow either the College/University Prep or the Career/Tech Prep Course of Study for their high school diploma. College credits completed while enrolled at Lee Early College 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 LEC students.