How do I get my child into Levine Early College High School?
Rising 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students residing in Mecklenburg County may apply for a seat at Levine Early College High School through the CMS School Choice lottery. The School Choice lottery will open on November 2, 2026 and close on December 11, 2026. More information is available on the CMS School Choice website: https://www.cmsk12.org/academics/school-choice. There is no benefit to applying earlier in the window rather than near the end of the application period. Families will be notified of acceptance or “waitlist” status in January.
Students will also need to complete an application to CPCC. We will provide detailed directions as soon as CPPC accepts new student applications for the 2027-2028 school year.
How do we participate in the CMS lottery if we don’t currently attend a CMS school?
Non-CMS students must first "future enroll" with CMS and then participate in the lottery. Future enrollment (Registration) will open on October 16, 2026, and closes December 1, 2026. The application portal is available here and more information is available on the CMS Choice website at https://www.cmsk12.org/academics/school-choice. Prospective parents may also call the Student Placement Office for more information at 980-343-5335.
How is Levine Early College different from a traditional high school?
Levine Early College is part of the Cooperative Innovative High School initiative in North Carolina. Each grade level in the early/middle college program is capped at 100 students, so our school is much smaller than a traditional high school. In addition, our students have a blended schedule of CPCC college courses and CMS Honors/AP courses. In addition, we follow a different CMS academic calendar from traditional CMS schools.
What kinds of students are a "good fit" for the Early College program?
Students who are most successful in Early College typically:
Have demonstrated successful completion of previous EOG-tested courses, generally earning at least a Level 3, and are prepared for rigorous Honors and college-level coursework.
Demonstrate strong attendance and positive behavior.
Manage time effectively and meet deadlines independently.
Communicate proactively with instructors and advisors, and advocate for themselves.
Demonstrate maturity, flexibility, and personal accountability.
Is CMS transportation provided?
CMS Shuttle/Express stops will be provided to Levine Early College High School for students living in the Green transportation zone. Students from outside the Green zone may apply for a seat at Levine, but Express stop transportation will not be provided. A current map of the CMS transportation zones is available here. CATS bus passes will be available to students demonstrating the need to travel to other CPCC campuses for required classes.
What costs are involved with the Early College program?
CPCC tuition, fees, and textbooks are free for Early College students. Students may enroll in optional summer session courses but will be responsible for any student fees or textbook fees (however, tuition will still be free). Levine students have a $25.00 student activity fee for grades 9-12, which can be paid on the district's online payment system.
Why is there a separate academic calendar for the Early Colleges?
Middle/Early Colleges in CMS follow a calendar more aligned with the CPCC calendar. We typically start school the first week in August, finish our first semester before winter break, have our spring break in March, and end the year before Memorial Day. We also have different teacher workdays and holidays than the traditional CMS calendar. The Middle College 2027-2028 academic calendar is available at https://bit.ly/LevineCal2027-28.
What is the difference between dual enrollment (Career and College Promise) and the Early College program?
Career & College Promise (CCP) is North Carolina's dual enrollment program for high school students. This program allows eligible NC high school students to enroll in college classes at North Carolina community colleges and universities through their high school. Dual enrollment students remain enrolled in their home high school.
Early College High Schools (ECHS) are CMS Cooperative Innovative High Schools available on Central Piedmont's Levine, Harper, Merancas, and Central campuses, and serve students in grades 9-13. Our students are enrolled in Levine Early College High School and report to our school daily for their CMS classes.
Cato Middle College is located on the CPCC Cato Campus and serves students in grades 11-13.
CPCC students select pathways to enroll in, while Early College students can enroll in certificate, diploma, and degree programs. Early College students have more classes available to them, and most are able to complete an Associate Degree by the time they graduate from high school.
What is Grade 13?
Students may stay for an additional year in Early College High Schools and take additional college classes with the opportunity to complete an Associate Degree and/or Career/Industry Certification. This is an optional program that is open to students who are in good academic standing with CMS and CPCC and have met all graduation requirements. Students enroll in only CPCC classes and a CMS Early College High School Seminar course during Grade 13. Students staying for Grade 13 do not graduate at the end of 12th grade but rather upon completion of their program.
What kind of clubs or school events do you have?
Levine Early College students can participate in any CPCC club or activity as well as a wide variety of clubs unique to our high school. We have an active Student Government, National Honor Society, Black Student Union, Yearbook, Board Game Club, International Club, LGBTQ+ Club, FBLA, and many more! We also host special events and activities for Levine Early College Students, like our annual Fall Festival and spring Prom.
What about sports?
Students may continue to participate in organized CMS-sponsored school sports, cheerleading, and marching band at their home high school. We will work with participating students to provide time in their schedule for traveling back to their home high school to participate in these after-school activities.
Will CPCC credits transfer to another college or 4-year university?
Most courses will transfer to all 4-year NC Public Universities. Private colleges and out-of-state colleges often have their own policies regarding transfer credits. Parents and students are encouraged to contact private schools and out-of-state institutions for course credit information.
How do CPCC courses affect a student’s GPA?
Students earn high school credit for CPCC classes that are 3 credit hours or more. Most transferable classes are weighted 1 additional quality point in the high school GPA. Most non-transferable courses are not weighted in the high school GPA.
What degree programs or certification programs are available through CPCC?
CPCC offers over 300 certificate, diploma, and degree options, and most are available to Early College students. Early College students are automatically enrolled in the Associate in Arts degree but can change programs of study to another transferable degree (Associate in Science degree or Associate in Engineering), or an Associate in Applied Science degree, certificate, or diploma that will prepare students with skills needed to enter a specific career. You can view the programs of study available at CPCC here: https://www.cpcc.edu/academics/programs . *Note: Not all programs are offered at each campus. While students can still enroll in the programs, they might need to attend classes on a different campus.
Will I be able to monitor my student’s grades and attendance in their CPCC classes?
No. Due to FERPA, CPCC does not share grades or attendance information with parents, and this information is not updated in Infinite Campus until the end of each semester. We recommend that parents monitor CPCC grades with their child through Brightspace. Students are expected to follow the attendance and grading policies detailed in each CPCC course syllabus.
What will my child's schedule look like?
Typical course progression for Early College students is listed below by grade:
Grade 9: Students primarily complete Honors-level high school coursework while developing the academic and organizational skills necessary for college success, including some college preparation courses.
Grade 10: Most students begin taking one to two CPCC courses per semester while continuing to complete approximately two to three high school courses per semester.
Grade 11: Most students take fewer high school courses, typically one to two, while completing most of their coursework through CPCC.
Grade 12: Students typically complete the remaining CMS graduation requirements while continuing to take mostly CPCC coursework aligned with their individual four-year plan and associate degree, transfer, or credential goals.
Grade 13 (optional): Eligible students may have the opportunity to participate in an optional year to complete: transferable college credits; career or industry certifications; associate degree requirements; and/or other approved college coursework.
What kinds of admissions and continuation requirements are there for this program?
Students seeking admission must:
Apply through the CMS School Choice Lottery
Complete all required application materials
Meet CMS and CPCC eligibility requirements
Submit all requested documentation by deadlines
Students should review the current Early College application requirements provided by CMS and Central Piedmont Community College. Admission through the School Choice Lottery does not guarantee continued enrollment. Students must meet the academic, attendance, behavioral, and program requirements to remain in Early College.
Students must maintain satisfactory academic performance, attendance, behavior, and progress toward program requirements.
CMS Expectations
Students must maintain an unweighted 2.8 GPA to remain in the program for grades 9-11. GPA is evaluated in December and May of the 9th grade school year. If a student’s unweighted GPA is below 2.8, the student may be recommended to return to the home high school for the 2nd semester of the current school year or for the following school year.
Prospective students whose GPA drops below the requirement after the School Choice Lottery may be subject to the district Magnet Continuation Review process and reassigned to the student’s neighborhood home school.
CPCC Expectations
Meet CPCC Standards of Academic Progress.
Maintain eligibility for college coursework.
Generally maintain a minimum 2.0 CPCC GPA, subject to current CPCC requirements.
Students in Grade 12 who do not have a Fall CPCC GPA of at least 2.0 may be placed on an Early College academic contract for the Spring semester.