Planning for Your Future

Gaston Early College

Gaston Early College High School (GECHS) is an exciting Innovative High School located on the Gaston College campus in Dallas, N.C. The Early College High School is operated by Gaston County Schools and Gaston College through a joint partnership.

This exclusive, non-traditional high school offers Gaston County students a unique opportunity to receive a high school diploma while earning an Associate of Arts degree from the community college.

Students have an opportunity to earn an Associate of Arts Degree valued at an estimated $4,692 in tuition cost. And an additional estimated value of $ 2,000 in textbook cost.

The Gaston Early College High School will host two open house events for current eighth grade students interested in attending the Early College next Year: Monday, February 9 and Monday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m. for students and parents. Interested Gaston County students will then fill out an application and apply through a lottery process similar to the Highland School of Technology process. Applications are due to middle school counselors or the Early College office by Friday, February 24.

Highland School of Technology

To attend Highland students must be chosen through a random lottery that happens each year in March. Being chosen during the lottery places the student on a conditionally attending list.

Academy Information

• Each student enters the school as a member of one of the three academies. Within each academy there are various pathways available for the students, each with its own sequence of required courses. The academies and pathways offered are
• Business, Legal & Information Sciences Academy
• Business and Legal Studies
• Computer Engineering
• Health Sciences Academy
• Allied Health
• Medical Science
• Dental
• Manufacturing/Engineering Technology & Graphics Academy
• Manufacturing and Engineering Technology
• Graphics

Lottery Dates:

Application materials will be mailed to eligible 8th grade students at the end of January 2017.

Highland's Lottery Open house will be Tuesday, Feb 20 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Applications are due February 28. All applications must be delivered, faxed or postmarked to Highland's office by this date.

Lottery is March 15, 2017 at 4 p.m. in the school auditorium. All perspective students and families are invited to attend.

All students in the class of 2019 must meet the following criteria to be included in the lottery process:

Requirements to Apply

· Student and parent/legal guardian must reside in Gaston County.

· “C” or 77 overall numerical grade average for grade seven.

· 7th grade reading and math EOG at Level III/IV/V

· Good standing in conduct for grade seven.

· Attendance at 94% or above in grade seven (medical exceptions are considered)

· Application postmarkded by February 28, 2015

Requirements for Admission

Students must meet these criteria to receive final acceptance to the Highland School of Technology or to remain on the waiting list:

· Student and parent/legal guardian reside in Gaston County

· 8th grade overall “C” or 77 minimum average

· 8th grade math EOG at Level III/IV/V or 8^th grade Math I at Level III/IV/V

· 8th grade reading EOG at Level III/IV/V

· Good standing in conduct for grade eight

· Attendance at 94% or above in grade eight (medical exceptions are considered

High School Registration

The Counselors for Hunter Huss will visit York Chester students in the early spring for registration.