Dear Charlotte Teacher Early College Families,

Charlotte Teacher Early College (CTEC) opened in August 2017 on the campus of UNC Charlotte to serve students interested in a career in education.  The early college model is designed to provide opportunities for high school students to earn college credit, free of charge, during the six years of the program.  We have open admission and seek to provide opportunities for first-generation college students, underrepresented minority groups and students in search of acceleration.  We admit 55 students in the ninth grade each year.  We typically admit a few students in the 10th grade, based on availability.  Students are admitted during the CMS School Options Lottery, typically held in December and January.

Students typically spend the first two years in the program completing their high school coursework. Most students begin taking a combination of high school and college courses at the beginning of their 11th-grade year.  The number of college courses increases during the 12th and 13th grade years.  CTEC students can choose to graduate after the 12th grade or stay to earn additional free college credit in the 13th grade.  

Why CTEC? Here are some of the advantages we offer:

• High school graduation-24 credits
• Students can earn up to 60 hours of transferable college credit
• All tuition, fees, and textbooks are included.
• Small, personalized learning environment
• Access to the UNC Charlotte campus and coursework
• Highly qualified, committed staff
• Diverse student population

Our students want to be teachers and pursue a degree in education. We accept rising ninth-grade or tenth grade students who live in Mecklenburg County. We look for students who have a strong interest in the educational field of study, who have a strong work ethic, can handle an honors-level curriculum and want to go to college. We also look for students with strong academic potential who are able to work independently to meet academic goals. We expect our students to come to school and follow our rules and those of UNC Charlotte.

CTEC students take all honors-level courses during the first two years of the program, which also allows students to begin taking college courses in their junior year. The college coursework is focused on teaching and offers the opportunity to complete UNC Charlotte general education requirements.  

Our students are willing to forgo the traditional large high school experience. Instead, they have a fast-paced, all honors level program with a lot of math. To succeed in this program, the student has to want to attend and participate. If you’d like more information, call us at 980-343-9898.

Dr. Susan Nichols