DAVIDSON EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION
2023 - 2024

Dear Prospective Davidson Early College High School Applicants and Parents/Guardians:

Thank you for considering Davidson Early College High School (DECHS) for your high school program. Before completing the application, we request that you give careful consideration to the information below to determine if DECHS is the most suitable educational experience for you. In completing the application, please make special note of the expectations you and your child will be agreeing to if he or she is selected to attend DECHS. Please note: THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OR OUTCOME OF THIS HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO GRADUATE WITH A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND A TWO-YEAR TRANSFERABLE COLLEGE DEGREE IN FOUR (4) YEARS.

Parents/guardians must attend one of the following information sessions in order for the application process to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Thursday, January 12 - 4:00PM in Reich Auditorium

Thursday, January 26 - 4:00PM Virtual Meeting

Thursday, February 9 - 4:00PM in Reich Auditorium

Thursday, February 23 - 4:00PM Virtual Meeting

Thursday, March 2 - 4:00PM in Reich Auditorium

Thursday, March 16 - 4:00PM in Reich Auditorium

Saturday Morning, March 18 - 10:00AM Virtual Meeting

Thursday, March 23 - 4:00PM Virtual Meeting

Thursday, March 30 - 4:00PM in Reich Auditorium

History:

Davidson Early College High School (DECHS) on the campus of Davidson-Davie Community College was established in 2004 as a collaborative effort among the Davidson County Schools, Lexington City Schools, Thomasville City Schools, and Davidson County Community College in partnership with the North Carolina New Schools organization.

This program is funded and structured primarily to provide successful, challenging, and meaningful educational experiences for students selected to the program. Beginning in grade 9, students are offered not only the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and meet university entrance requirements, but to also take college courses for which they receive (with the required college GPA) up to two years of credit (transferable AA or AS to UNC system schools). DECHS students earn scholarships and honors commensurate to those of traditional schools and perform at higher levels on tests such as the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. Graduates typically go on to pursue higher education at senior institutions.

DECHS maintains a population of approximately 160 students allowing frequent opportunities for individual participation and personalized attention from faculty and staff. In 2009 and 2012, U.S. News and World Report honored DECHS as “One of America’s Best High Schools”. In 2008 – 2009, DECHS achieved the status of a “School of Distinction”. For the 2009 – 2010 school year DECHS was the 2nd highest achieving high school in this state with 99.4% overall proficiency. In December 2010, the school was identified as a “Signature School” with high student
performance. More recently DECHS has been designated as a “School of Excellence” with a 100% graduation rate— four years in a row! All members of the Class of 2013 applied to and were accepted at 4-year colleges/universities! In 2015, 2016, and 2017 DECHS was recognized by Newsweek as one of “America’s Best High Schools.”

***Eligibility and Target Population***:

The student population of DECHS reflects and values the diversity of its participating school districts. In situations where applications exceed the number of allotted seats, all completed applications from applicants who attend one of the information sessions and meet the stated deadline will be reviewed and forwarded to SERVE for a randomized selection process, similar to a lottery.

In order to meet the intent of this Cooperative and Innovative High School program (§ 115C-238.50) this process places an emphasis upon selecting applicants who are representative of the applicant pool, residents of Davidson County, and potentially meet one or more the following criteria:

Students who are 1st Generation college students (neither parent has more than a two-year associates degree)
Students who would benefit from accelerated academic instruction and environment
Students who are at-risk for not completing high school or for not pursuing higher education
Students who are underserved in higher education

In addition, the following are key attributes for successful DECHS students:

Maturity, motivation and the ability to make responsible, independent and productive choices, which contribute to success and growth both at the high school and college level.
Desire to be intellectually challenged and experience rigorous college level and honors level high school courses (UNC admission requirements).
Ability to work cooperatively and be engaged in inquiry, communication, leadership, critical thinking, problem solving, and making education a priority.
Desire to effectively and appropriately use technology toward educational purposes and enrichment. Students will need to have access to the Internet on a daily basis outside of school.

Sincerely,
DECHS Faculty and Staff

Continue to DECHS Application