Elon University is developing plans to partner with Alamance-Burlington Schools to create a high school for high performing students.
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Elon University’s board of trustees and the Alamance-Burlington Board of Education are developing plans to create an innovative public high school for high-performing students within the Alamance-Burlington School System. If approved by both boards, the school could enroll its first students on the Elon campus in August 2012 and be called University High School at Elon.
University High School at Elon for grades 9-12 is based on the early college model that has been implemented successfully across the country, giving highly motivated students the opportunity to earn their high school diplomas while completing two years of liberal arts courses at the university level.
“We would be proud to partner with the Alamance-Burlington School System in providing the challenging educational opportunities that are enjoyed by motivated young learners at many other top colleges and universities,” says Leo M. Lambert, Elon University president. “We believe University High School at Elon would be a tremendous asset for our community and inspire outstanding students to achieve at the highest levels.”
As outlined in a feasibility study, freshmen and sophomores would attend classes together, led by teachers employed by the Alamance-Burlington Schools. The ninth and tenth grade courses would be at the honors or advanced placement (AP) level, providing a foundation that would allow students to succeed in college studies. By the end of the sophomore year, students would have completed 18 of the 22 credits required to earn a North Carolina high school diploma.
During their junior and senior years, students would enroll in four Elon University courses each semester, primarily related to the arts and sciences. Four courses would be required: English, global studies, a math course and a science course. No more than five University High School students would be assigned to any of Elon’s regular undergraduate classes, and courses would not be modified to accommodate younger students. Students who fail to meet academic requirements or violate conduct codes would be reassigned to the high school in their attendance zone.
Outside the classroom, students could participate in athletics at their home high school as long as it does not interfere with their class times or requirements. All students would have access to Elon’s campus recreation facilities, and juniors and seniors could participate in some Elon student organizations, with the exception of club sports and fraternities/sororities. All University High School at Elon students would be restricted from the university’s residence halls.
Current plans envision enrolling 30 ninth graders and 30 tenth graders in August 2012. Under that scenario, the school would add an eleventh grade in fall 2013 and a twelfth grade in fall 2014, bringing the total enrollment to about 120.
The goal of the admission process would be to attract students from all middle schools. Admission would be competitive, based on students’ grades and academic record, attendance and discipline history, standardized test scores and writing/math assessments, and teacher recommendations. Students would apply in the spring of their eighth grade year, with an admissions interview process in mid-February through mid-March.
In spring 2012, ninth graders could also apply to enroll as tenth graders at its opening. Thereafter, tenth graders would only be admitted if space opens in the class. Juniors and seniors would not be allowed to transfer into University High School at Elon unless they have attended an early college program or its equivalent in another school district.
The principal, teachers and staff of University High School at Elon would be employees of the Alamance-Burlington School System. Elon University would employ a liaison to the school, provide instruction in its undergraduate classes at no tuition cost and provide the school’s technology and facilities.
Elon is currently exploring options for the school’s facilities on or adjacent to the campus.
More details of the plans for University High School can be found in the final report of the Early College Feasibility Study Committee.