New Franklin County Early College students welcomed to VGCC

Franklin County Early College High School held an orientation session for new students and their parents on Aug. 7 at Vance-Granville Community College’s Franklin County Campus . The event was not only an opportunity to receive information and fill out necessary forms, but also to help students transition from middle school to both high school and college at the same time.

 

The group of 59 new students is the fourth freshman class in the history of the school, which opened in January 2010. The high school, based in a 12-room facility adjacent to the college campus, is the youngest of the four early college programs that VGCC operates in partnership with local school systems. The others are Vance County Early College High School, Warren Early College High School and Granville Early College High School. This year, the four schools enroll a total of approximately 710 students. The 2012-2013 year marks the first school year when the Vance and Warren programs are fully enrolled. At an Early College high school, students simultaneously complete both a high school diploma and a two-year college degree (or up to two years of college-transferable credit) over a five-year period, tuition-free.

 

Those in attendance at Orientation were welcomed to the college by VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams and Franklin Campus Dean Bobbie Jo May.

 

They were followed by Olu Ariyo, VGCC’s college liaison for the high school. She discussed various college rules and policies, and the differences between high school and college. Ariyo noted that while the high school schedule started Aug. 9, the college’s academic year begins Aug. 20. There will be days when students will only need to attend their college classes while the high school is closed, she pointed out.

 

Other speakers during Orientation included VGCC Director of Joint High School Programs Lyndon Hall and Franklin Campus Director Anthony Pope. A panel discussion was also held featuring 11th grade students Roxie Gilliam, Casey Thomason and Taylor Galecki; Lois Henderson (the parent of an 11th grader); high school English teacher Jaime Adams; and VGCC English instructor Mary Anderson.

 

Above: As (seated from left) VGCC President Stelfanie Williams and Franklin County Campus Dean Bobbie Jo May listen, VGCC’s liaison for Franklin County Early College High School, Olu Ariyo, addresses students and their parents at an orientation session on Aug. 7. (VGCC photo)