Early college and CASA start new school year

Aug. 16—HUDSON — Caldwell Early College High School and Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy (CASA) students started back to school on Thursday, Aug. 11, the first day of the 2022-23 school year.

"The staff was so excited to welcome our Mustang Family back for the 2022-2023 school year," said Meredith Griffin, Early College principal. "The first day of school brought team building, collaboration and renewed relationships. We are looking forward to a great year!"

These two specialized high schools, located on the campus of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, begin school earlier in August than the comprehensive high schools Hibriten, South Caldwell and West Caldwell, which welcome students back on Aug. 29. Students at the Early College and CASA incorporate college classes into scheduling as early as freshman year, so their school calendar is as closely aligned with the community college course offerings that begin on Aug. 17.

During the first few days of school, approximately 215 students have enrolled in grades 9-12 at the Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy. At the Early College, nearly 400 students are starting classes in grades 9-13, one more year if needed to complete a high school diploma and an associate's degree at the community college at no additional cost to students and their parents.

About Caldwell Early College High School

The Caldwell Early College High School opened in 2006 as a collaborative effort between the Caldwell County Schools and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. Students enrolled in the Caldwell Early College High School can earn a high school diploma and two years of transferable college credit or an associate's degree at the end of four or five years.

Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy

When it opened in 1999 as a Career Center, it was the first high school in North Carolina on a college campus. In the fall of 2006, it became a full-day program offering a complete course of study of national credentials, high school diploma track courses and college credit toward a two-year degree.