Early College High School Programs

How to Apply

VGCC Cooperative Innovative High Schools take the form of Early College High Schools and are located on or near the college’s campuses. Students enrolled in these programs can concurrently obtain a high school diploma and begin or complete an associate degree program or earn up to two years of college credit within five years. The process to apply to one of these four schools begins in middle school and is conducted by the Local Education Agency. To obtain additional information about our early college high school partnerships and how to apply, please visit the specific Early College High School Website of interest.

Miscellaneous Information

1. Eligibility requirements for CIHS are established jointly by local boards of education and local boards of trustees in accordance with G.S. 115C-238.50 and 1D SBCCC 400.11.
2. Based on the joint agreement, CIHS students may enroll in one college transfer program of study; one college transfer program of study and one Career and Technical Education program of study; or two career and technical education programs of study.
3. Students pursuing credits beyond the initial transfer associate degree must provide documentation of justification based upon career pathway needs or transfer program requirements (i.e. bachelor degree plan published by the university). Approval must be granted by the high school principal or his/her designee and the college’s chief academic officer prior to enrollment in credits beyond the initial transfer program of study. Approval is contingent upon documentation of justification based upon career pathway needs or transfer program requirements
4. CIHS students who are successfully progressing towards high school graduation have access to the CIHS program for up to five years – one year as a freshman, one year as a sophomore, one year as a junior, one year as a senior, one year as a super senior.
5. The CIHS status of a student is only valid at the college partnered with the high school in which a student is enrolled.
6. CIHS students may not audit courses
7. Students enrolled in Adult High School, Adult Basic Education, or Adult Secondary Education are not eligible for CCP.
8. CIHS students may not be enrolled in the Associate in General Education or General Occupational Technology programs with the exception of the Associate in General Education in Nursing degree
9. Colleges may award the degree prior to high school graduation.