Wake Early College of Health and Sciences FAQ Sheet

What is an Early College?
Why is Wake County opening the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences?

What is the vision of the Wake Early College High School?

Who will the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences serve?

How does a student enroll in the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences?

Where is the Wake early College of Health and Sciences located?

What is the transportation plan for Wake Early College of Health and Sciences students?

What does a typical student day look like? 

What is PULSE?

What structures support students at the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences? 

How is the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences different from other high schools in the area?

What post-secondary opportunities exist? 

What is an Early College?

Early College High Schools are small schools from which students may 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 is Wake County opening the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences?

The Wake Early College of Health and Sciences is the natural outgrowth of Former 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 WakeMed Health & Hospitals, Wake Technical Community College, and the Wake County Public School System.  These leaders recognize the need for a personalized, rigorous, innovative high school themed around the health and sciences.

What is the vision of the Wake Early College High School?

The Wake Early College of Health and Sciences (WECHS) is a small, nimble, autonomous school that offers a rigorous program of studies, supported by the positive relations formed in smaller environments, and wrapped around a relevant theme to give meaning to courses once viewed as disconnected. With proper support, all students will be expected to master the most rigorous courses. The WECHS will enrich learning by allowing students to be mentored and advised by one of the many professionals employed in the county’s largest health care provider. The development of such a school contributes to the economic development of the area by allowing students to investigate health and science vocations through a workforce development program.

Who will the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences serve?

The Wake Early College of Health and Sciences (WECHS) serves students motivated by the opportunities offered by a college setting, curriculum, and career connections. In order to maintain the rigor, relevance, and relationships, full enrollment in the WECHS should not exceed 400 students over the five-year experience.

How does a student enroll in the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences?

Wake Early College of Health and Sciences requires that students complete a paper application unique to the early college program as well as the online application process for all Wake County Public School System magnet schools.

Where is the Wake early College of Health and Sciences located?

The Wake Early College of Health and Sciences (WECHS) is located on the Wake Technical Community College Health Sciences campus adjacent to the Raleigh campus of WakeMed Health & Hospitals.  The facility is located at 2901 Holston Lane, Raleigh, N.C. 27610.  North Campus is located at 6600 Louisburg Rd, Raleigh, NC 27616

What is the transportation plan for Wake Early College of Health and Sciences students?

Students may ride express buses from regional sites near their home to the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences (WECHS) site or provide their own transportation.  Capital Area Transit (CAT) buses also stop at the WECHS site regularly.

What does a typical student day look like?

Most students at the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences will study between 7:25 AM - 2:20 PM.  Their studies may include classes, labs, PULSE, tutorial, academic advising, faculty-student meetings, and career counseling.  Students will eat an on-campus lunch provided by Child Nutrition Services and local restaurants at a time convenient to their schedule.  Transportation schedules may dictate the time of learning opportunities.

What is PULSE?

What structures support students at the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences?

All students will be known well by at least one member of the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences staff.  In addition, students will have embedded tutorial time, career counseling, educational advisement, and a personal learning environment where academic growth and excellence are common goals.  Students experience seamless curricula between high school and college that eases the transition from secondary to post-secondary experiences.

How is the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences different from other high schools in the area?

The Wake Early College of Health and Sciences (WECHS) is a magnet school focused on health and sciences.  All students follow the College/University Prep Course of Study to earn their high school diploma . They have the opportunity to graduate with an Associate of Arts or Science, college transfer degree with the option to add a certificate and/or diploma program in a health care field. Two unique features of the WECHS are the partnership it represents (Wake County Public Schools, Wake Technical Community College and WakeMed Health & Hospitals) and its location on the Health Sciences campus of Wake Tech. Another important feature is the personalized environment the school will offer.  With no more than 400 students, the WECHS promises to provide the most individualized environment available to Wake County students.  Students will have the opportunity to enroll in unique classes (both high school and college level) specifically designed for the WECHS around the health and sciences theme. 

What post-secondary opportunities exist?

Wake Early College of Health and Sciences (WECHS) students have the opportunity  to graduate in five years with a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) degree.  College credits completed while enrolled in the WECHS will be tuition-free and may be transferable to a four-year institution.  Students increase their access to college courses by meeting all entrance requirements for Wake Tech, including the COMPASS Placement Test.