Needing your help
My daughter is in the 8th grade and is selected to attend HS at UNC-Charlotte next year. The official name of the HS is Charlotte Engineering Early College, located on the campus of UNCC and very close to the football stadium. This will be the second year of the program which is fully funded by the Charlotte/Mecklenburg School system.
They are admitting 100 students per class. Last year was the first year having only 9th grade students. 2015 - 2016 school year will have the 9th and 10th grades. The school will continue to grow until it reaches its maximum 500 student with 100 per grade. I wrote that correct, 500 students comprising of 5 grades.
The reason for five years, is that the students must accept that their HS career will last for 5 years, rather than grades 9 - 12, it will be 9th grade through 13. Here's the kicker, upon graduation the students will have 60 college credit hours all completely paid for by Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. This a STEM program with the backing of several local businesses, including AREVA, Duke Energy, Siemens, and Westinghouse.
In the 12th grade and year 13 they will be completely intermingled with the normal college students, but without the benefits of things like free tickets to games, due to their not paying any athletic fees. If they want to participate in HS athletics, they must go back to their assigned home school to practice and play. Which in some cases, could be impossible due to these kids coming from all over the county. There will simply not be enough time to get to their home school in time for practice.
Clearly, these students will not be living a normal high school student's life and this is where we are having some difficulty. I believe its an opportunity of a lifetime that will pay immeasurable dividends over the course of my daughter's life. Certainly, I want my daughter to experience going to a prom, Friday night football, maybe participate in some athletics, and she loves to have a small roll in a play put on by the drama club of her middle school. This will all become nearly impossible for her to experience. Though, they did say they would try to have some sort of prom, but with only 100 in a senior class, well, I think you see the picture.
The one thing I did not point out is that she excels in math and science. She's only a little above average in Language Arts, though still makes nothing but A's even in her weaker classes. One final thing, and I know she is only 13, but she has been saying that she wants to become a commercial pilot. We all know this idea can change overnight.
As I stated, I believe the benefits will outweigh the shortcomings of this program, but my wife leans in the other direction by not wanting her to miss out on the things a normal HS kid enjoys. I'd like some input from those who care to give it a little thought. Oh yea, did I say the campus is only three miles from our home, much closer than her assigned high school for our neighborhood.
Thanks!
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