High School Students Learn About College Programs

K-12 Schools • October 23, 2015

Daniel Chasse, historic preservation instructor, explains the various tools used in carpentry to Juan Aguilar, a tenth grader at SouthWest Edgecombe High School, during last night’s Career Clusters Showcase at Edgecombe Community College.

A Career Clusters Showcase for high school students and their parents was held last night on the Tarboro campus of Edgecombe Community College.

Collaborative college and high school programs were highlighted at the event, co-sponsored by the college and Edgecombe County Public Schools.

Students and parents explored various exhibits and demonstrations and met with college and public school instructors and administrators. All academic areas of the college were represented, along with college/high school partnerships.

“We had a great turnout, and students were enthusiastic about our offerings,” said Kathy Webb, Early College liaison/high school coordinator.

Juan Aguilar, a tenth grader at SouthWest Edgecombe High School, was intently watching Historic Preservation Instructor Daniel Chasse demonstrate various tools used in historic carpentry.

“I am very interested in carpentry, and I didn’t know about the historic preservation program. This is cool,” said Aguilar.

“The event was designed to showcase the seamless transition for students from high school to ECC and then on to four-year schools or the workplace,” Webb said.

“Students can take tuition-free college-credit classes at their high schools then complete their program at the college. The programs are structured so there is no guesswork for students.”

Three pathways at ECC are available to high school students:

#1 Juniors and seniors can earn up to 30 semester hours of college credit toward a four-year degree.

#2 Juniors and seniors can earn college credit toward an associate degree, diploma, or certificate.

#3 Beginning in the ninth grade, Edgecombe Early College High School students can enroll in college courses.

To learn more about how high school students can jumpstart their futures at ECC, please contact Kathy Webb at 823-5166, ext. 205, or webbk@edgecombe.edu.