Enrollment Process

Union County Early College (UCEC) accepts up to 100 incoming freshmen each year.  Each year we also have slots available to accept some incoming sophomores to fill in any available slots up to 100 students for that grade level. Unfortunately, we do not accept juniors or seniors. If you are interested, you must apply no later than your child’s 9th grade school year.

• The selection process is purely lottery-based.
• The lottery application opens yearly in late January/early February through March.  Be sure to check the website annually at the start of January for application dates.
• Open House: Wednesday, February 19th in the Salon of Building A at South Piedmont Community College (SPCC), located at 4209A Old Charlotte Hwy, Monroe, NC 28110.
• Lottery opens February 12 - March 9, 2025.    
  • You must apply through UCPS Scribbles Lottery
• Notification of acceptance will be sent out beginning March 26, 2025 through your Scribbles account.
• You must accept your seat no later than April 2, 2025 via your Scribbles account.
  • If you are wait-listed, continue to regularly check your Scribbles account as seats may begin to open as decisions are made by other students.
• If you are currently attending an Early College and will be moving into our district, you will not automatically be accepted. Please apply for our lottery.
• FYI: We do not have school sports, ROTC, or band.

Eligibility

9th Grade

• 75% average across core classes (English, Math, Science, Social Studies) looking at final grades for 7th grade and S1 for 8th grade
• Students must not fail any core courses (English, Math, Science, Social Studies) in 7th grade or S1 of 8th grade.
• No long-term suspensions in 7th grade or S1 in 8th grade.
• Preference given to first generation college students. First generation means your parents did not attend college, may have started but did not finish, or does not have a four-year bachelor’s degree.

10th Grade

• 75% average across core classes (English, Math, Science, Social Studies) looking at final grades for 8th grade and S1 for 9th grade
• Students must not fail any core courses (English, Math, Science, Social Studies) in 8th grade or S1 of 9th grade.
• No long-term suspensions in 8th grade or S1 in 9th grade.
• Preference given to first generation college students. First generation means your parents did not attend college, may have started but did not finish, or does not have a four-year bachelor’s degree