Craven Early College

Overview

Craven Early College, which is headquartered at Craven Community College's New Bern campus, is Craven County's fourth public high school. It is designed for high school students who are ready to do focused, college-level coursework but who may not thrive in a traditional high school setting.

Innovative program

• Craven Early College is a joint project of Craven Community College and the Craven County Schools.
• It is part of the national initiative of "new schools" championed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the statewide program of "Learn and Earn" high schools endorsed by the state.
• Enrolls a class of 50 ninth-graders every fall. Acceptance is based on a lottery system.
• Students who enroll in Craven Early College choose from one of six "pathways" to pursue while enrolled here: manufacturing, education, engineering, health sciences, information technology or associate in science.
• Students who remain enrolled in Craven Early College will have, after five years here, the opportunity to graduate with both their high school diplomas and their two-year associate's degrees or two years of transferable college credit.
• With an associate's degree in hand, a Craven Early College graduate will be able to enter the workforce right away or be prepared to transfer to a four-year degree program with two years of credits in tow.
• Craven Early College students do not have to pay tuition and are eligible for school system transportation. Their school follows the college's calendar rather than the school system's calendar.