Parent info meetings on Dare Early College this week, applications open Saturday

Dare County Schools invites eighth-grade students and their families to attend this week’s Parent Information Sessions to learn more about the Early College program.

These sessions are open to all families, including those currently homeschooling or attending private schools.

During the sessions, guests will learn about the Early College experience, discover how it helps students excel, and have the chance to ask questions.

The parent sessions take place on Tuesday at First Flight Middle School, Wednesday at Cape Hatteras Secondary School and Thursday at Manteo Middle School, all beginning at 6 p.m.

Early colleges allow students to earn both a high school diploma and an associates degree at the same time, as they take classes that are taught both at the early college and through a community college.

Dare is one of just 17 counties in the state currently without an early college. Currituck, Camden, Pasquotank, Tyrrell, Washington and Hyde counties all have early colleges located in their districts.

The Dare Early College is scheduled to begin classes in the 2025-26 academic year at the former College of the Albemarle campus on Russell Twiford Road in Manteo with around 50 students.

At the same time, an estimated $25 million building to accommodate up to 300 students will be constructed on the Uppowoc Avenue side of the COA-Dare campus.

Funding will come from the county’s portion of N.C. Education Lottery funds that are specifically dedicated to construction of new facilities.

The two-story early college will mirror the COA academic building that opened in 2022 on the north side of the campus along U.S. 64.

The estimated timeline has construction beginning this summer and completion in the winter of 2026.

Following the parent sessions this week, students can apply online beginning February 1 at DaretoLearn.org.