Randolph Early College High School, which opened its doors on the Randolph Community College campus in fall of 2006, has had unprecedented success, according to state and local reports. The school enrolled its fourth class of freshmen this fall and has 65 seniors on track to graduate this spring. Approximately 50 are expected to complete their associate degree from RCC as well as their high school diploma.
"That is very exciting," said Cathy Waddell, RECHS principal. "None of us really thought that far out. It was a dream." Under the early college high school model, students can earn their high school diploma and up to two years of transferable college credit or an associate degree in four or five years.
Out of a total of 76 seniors, 11 have chosen the fifth year option, according to Nancy Cross, RECHS liaison. That could be for several reasons, she said. "They might need extra time or want to take a lighter load and spread the experience out to a fifth year." They also might be pursuing a technical degree at RCC, like Photographic Technology, which takes extra time to finish because of scheduling. Those who choose to graduate in four years without an associate degree will be able to transfer the college credits they have completed to whatever college they decide to attend. They might choose this option because "not all college credit programs are accessible to our students as high school students," said Cross, like Nursing or Radiography that have further entrance requirements.
Compared to other high schools statewide, Randolph Early College High School has also excelled. Recently the school earned the Honor School of Excellence designation in the ABCs of Public Education report. RECHS was recognized for high growth and for having 90.1 percent of its students tested performing at or above grade level in the 2008-2009 school year. In 2007-2008, it was recognized as a School of Distinction with 88.2 percent of its students performing at or above grade level. In 2006-2007, it was also a School of Excellence.
In addition, RECHS was the eighth highest performing early college high school in the state out of over 70 early college high schools. Cross noted that when comparing early colleges, there are different models, some targeting very different types of students.
"It is nice that other people recognize that we have worked diligently to help our students succeed," said Waddell of the honors. The performance composites are based on end-of-course test scores, graduation rates, and attendance. "But we don’t focus a lot on test scores," she continued. "It is still a journey. We still work every day to try to become better than the year before." Waddell said the school's focus "has always been on building relationships with students so they can maximize their potential. The teachers give 110% toward that goal every day." She said they measure success through the growth they see in their students, academically, emotionally, and socially.
Waddell noted that EOC testing data doesn’t reflect when a student has had a hard time as a freshman and has overcome that. "A lot of our kids have been able to do that," she said. "They were the shy kids in middle school."
"The thing that distinguishes us from other high schools is that our students are required to go into college classes and be successful," Waddell continued. "It is not optional. To see how our students grow through that is one of the ways we measure our success." Cross said that about 75% of the grades that RECHS students earned in RCC classes were "C" or higher, which is "very comparable to the college population."
Both Waddell and Cross point out that RECHS students have been successful in blending into the College population in other ways. One RECHS student, Natalie Caviness, was just elected treasurer of the RCC Student Government Association for the 2009-2010 school year. Also, some RECHS students have been chosen each year in a competitive process for the College's Student Leadership Academy – five for 2010, four in 2009, and three for the first year of the program in 2008.
"The level of maturity we've seen in these kids has been pretty phenomenal," said Waddell, "when you listen to them talk to underclassmen about how to navigate the campus, how to study, and how to manage their time."
RECHS currently has 321 students in grades 9-12. The targeted population for the school is first generation college students, economically disadvantaged students, and minority students.
Randolph Early College High School seniors will be presenting their senior projects on Thursday, Dec. 3, and the school is in need of volunteers to act as judges. Anyone interested in being a part of this process is urged to contact Debra McDowell at 625-1137 by the middle of November.
