CCSD's Early College High School on Palmer Campus

"Applications are being accepted for the Charleston County School District's new Early College High School, which opens in the fall and will let students take college-credit courses through Trident Technical College.

If students stay on track, they can graduate high school with as much as an associate degree completed.

Kinda surprised that the NAACP hasn't accused the Charleston County School District of trying to take good students away from Burke. Still a good idea.

“We are looking for those kids who are hard workers and have the ability to get the work done,” said Kim Wilson, the school district's executive director of secondary learning.

“They just need some support in place to help them be successful at whatever they decide to do, whether it’s a four-year college, two-year college, they go in to the workforce right after high school or they join the military.”

The school will accept up to 100 students for the ninth grade only. It will add grades 10 through 12 in the coming years.

Modeled after a similar Horry County program, the school will be housed on Trident Tech's Palmer Campus in downtown Charleston. Students will take high school courses from a small staff while pursuing college-credit courses at Trident.

According to the school district, the school is "designed to encourage student groups who are underrepresented in post-secondary education, such as students of color, English language learner (ELL) students, students from low-income families, and prospective first-generation college students." 

The district has budgeted $647,000 for Early College High School to cover its costs, including administrative staff, transportation, supplies and one teacher each in English, math, science and social studies. That funding will also cover tuition for Trident Tech courses.

The district will provide transportation to the school, and students will be allowed to participate in arts and athletic programs at their neighborhood schools.

To apply, go to ccsdschools.com and click on "Early College High School Application" under the Quick Links sidebar. Applications are due June 1.