About Our School
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Union County Early College (UCEC) is a cooperative innovative high school located on the campus of South Piedmont Community College. At UCEC, students can earn an associate degree while taking high school and college classes. We encourage rigor, relevance and relationships in which all students are accepted and valued by faculty and peers. We are an application/lottery school and students can apply as rising ninth and tenth-grade students.
- Address: Union County Early College, 4209A Old Charlotte Highway, Monroe, NC 28110
- Phone: 704-290-1565
- Fax: 704-282-0956
- Staff Directory
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Fast Facts
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- Calendar: Early College
- Start Bell: 9:50 a.m.
- End Bell: 4:20 p.m.
- Mascot: Cyclones
- Colors: Navy and gray
School Documents
What is Early College?
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Early college high school is a bold approach, based on the principle that academic rigor, combined with the opportunity to save time and money, is a powerful motivator for students to work hard and meet serious intellectual challenges. Early college high schools are small schools designed so that students can earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree or up to two years of credit toward a bachelor’s degree. Early college high schools have the potential to improve high school graduation rates and better prepare all students for high-skill careers by engaging them in a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum and compressing the number of years to a college degree.
Is Early College for You?
The answer is yes if you...
- are a rising 9th grade student
- are living in Union County
- are currently performing on grade level
- are ready to take a college course with teacher help
- are ready to make new friends from all the other high schools
- are ready for a promising future
Tell Me More
Entering freshmen will start a five-year academic path on the South Piedmont Community College campus...- following the community college calendar
- participating in smaller classes
- earning college credit while enrolled in high school
- attending classes to promote study skills, organization and technology skills
- preparing to follow a wide variety of career and education paths
Please call us at 704-290-1565 to learn more about this program.
School Profile
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Vision
The vision of Union County Early College (UCEC) incorporates three core values: rigor, relevance, and relationship, to provide an environment conducive to positive student-teacher relationships and increasing academic performance for admission to college courses during the first two years.
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Location
The Union County Early College High School program began in August 2006. We are one of the eleven district high schools for Union County Public Schools. Union County Public Schools is the sixth-largest school district in North Carolina.
Union County is situated in the South Piedmont area of North Carolina with an estimated population of over 200,000 residents. The county provides a unique blend of rural and metropolitan lifestyles. Students from all over Union County attend our Early College program.
Union County Early College High School is located on South Piedmont Community College's campus. We are an accelerated program combining four years of high school and two years of college transfer courses. Students can graduate in five years with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree. -
Recruitment
Union County Early College accepts approximately 100 ninth-grade students each school year. Rising ninth-grade students from throughout the Union County Public School System apply for acceptance into the Early College program. Recruitment takes place at nine different middle schools in the district. This program is searching for students who have the potential for success in college courses and who are first-generation college students.
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Academic Program
Union County Early College High School is on a 4x4 block schedule. Students attend four high school classes for ninety minutes each during the 18-week semester. Students may earn a minimum of eight high school credits in a school year. All high school courses are taught at an honors level, as long as it is available in the district. Students are required to complete a minimum of 28 credits to receive a college/university preparatory high school diploma and 61 community college credits to receive an associate’s degree. Students have the opportunity to earn an Associate of Art or Associate of Science through South Piedmont Community College.
Meet Our School Leaders
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Michael Murray (Principal)
About Mr. MurrayMichael Murray is in his second year as principal at Union County Early College. Mr. Murray has been in education since 1997. He has worked with college, high school, middle school and elementary school students. Mr. Murray received his undergraduate degree from Oswego State University in New York and a Masters in Education from Tufts University located in Massachusetts.
He received his administrative license in Educational Leadership from Wingate University. Previously, he worked at Marvin Ridge High School and Cuthbertson, Parkwood, and East Union Middle Schools. He is married and has a daughter.
Contact Mr. Murray
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Dr. Randy Mann (Assistant Principal)
Contact Dr. Mann
- Email: randy.mann@ucps.k12.nc.us
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School Performance Director
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Professional Advisory Council Representatives
- Principal: Michael Murray
- Representative: Amy Davis
Frequently Asked Questions
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When does school start?
The school year typically begins a little earlier for UCEC students than for students in a traditional high school. View the 2023-2024 School Calendar.
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What is an Early College High School?
Early college high schools blend high school and college in a rigorous yet supportive program, compressing the time it takes to complete a high school diploma and the first two years of college. The schools are designed to serve students that are typically underrepresented in the college-going population, including minorities, first-generation college-going students, students from low-income families and under-performing students. -
How many students can attend?
Approximately 100 rising ninth-grade students from Union County are accepted for enrollment each year. This will build a school of approximately 400 students for this five-year program.
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Will this high school have sports and organizations like other high schools in the county?
This school does not have North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) sanctioned athletic teams, band, chorus, ROTC, or cheerleading. Clubs and community activities are be available to students to fulfill the service and work components of the program. Physical Education and Health is a course taught by UCEC staff and students are required to take Health/PE for one credit as a part of the high school programming.
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Will transportation be provided?
Yes. Transportation from home to the Early College campus will be provided through Union County bus transportation. Bus stops are assigned as they are in any UCPS school bus route.
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What about lunch?
Lunch will be available through the Union County Child Nutrition program. Lunch, with two choices of entrees, is brought in from a nearby UCPS school.
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How do I apply?
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How can I get more information?
Please email Principal Michael Murray at michael.murray@ucps.k12.nc.us or call us at 704-290-1565.
