Early College Earns High Marks

 

Several months after being recognized as one of the top 300 high schools in the nation, Richmond Early College High School has received another honor.

The school, which opened in 2007, was recently ranked as the 73rd-best high school in the state by Niche, a company founded by students of Carnegie Mellon University and originally known as CollegeProwler.com.

“We are absolutely thrilled REaCH was recognized in the publication,” Dr. Cindy Goodman, superintendent of Richmond County Schools, said in a statement.

Schools are graded on academics, health and safety, student culture and diversity, teachers, resources and facilities, extracurricular activities, parent/student surveys and sports and fitness.

“From what I understand, the data from 2011-2012 was used in the determination,” Goodman said. “I think we need to acknowledge the roles Dr. Larry Weatherly, Mr. Joe Richardson and Mrs. Lawanda Walker all played in the recognition as well as Dr. George Norris, (Principal) Michael Chapman and the staff of the early college.”

Goodman also credited the strong partnership the school system has with Richmond Community College and its president, Dr. Dale McInnis, a sentiment McInnis mirrored.

“I’m really proud of the early college,” McInnis said. “It’s been a big success story for the county.”

McInnis said the early college “creates hope,” as many of the students are first-generation college students.

“We have a very diverse group of students,” added guidance counselor Amy Williams.

“If a student’s applying, they know they want to come here,” said Russell-McInnis. “So they’re generally more motivated, determined to accomplish their goal.”

While at the early college, students take a full high school course load in addition to college classes, taking up to five years. Some have finished in fewer than four.

“These kids want to be here,” Dale McInnis said. “You can tell a kid is going to succeed here when they’re more excited about it than their parents.”

While some students go off to universities, others stay at RCC. McInnis said many have enrolled in the college’s nursing program.

Several early college graduates have gone on to teach with Richmond County Schools and RCC or work for Duke Energy. Another is pursuing a career in computer animation.

“Watching them grow and watching them mature over four or five years is really special,” McInnis said. “Every child that comes through here has a chance to set their own path, create their own journey.”

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North Carolina School Boards AssociationEarly College Earns High Marks