CCSD's Early College: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

"I'm proud to say I'm a student at Early College High School."

So stated Bethany Grove to her classmates attending the new school on Trident Tech's Palmer Campus. 

Some of us are so ancient that we can recall that Palmer was once a private business college in its own right, before taxpayer-supported schools drove it under.

Be that as it may, the Charleston County School District's school for those motivated students who normally get neglected in heterogeneous "regular" courses (those scoring between 40 and 60 percent on standardized tests) seems off to a good start with its 96 freshmen. 

"It's kids who we know have incredible potential," [Director Vanessa] Denney said. "It's about taking those kids who are in the middle ... and pushing them."

Exactly. And why shouldn't those who can handle dual-credit courses in high school take them on the school district's dime? Too many courses offered at Trident Tech should be offered on the high school campus instead.