Greenville Early College Hosts Opening Celebration
The Greenville Early College (GEC) Program hosted an Opening Celebration for community members, funding partners, and elected officials. The Early College Program serves 36 sixth graders and is housed at the University Center of Greenville, 225 S Pleasantburg Drive. Students are taught in a personalized learning environment that provides the skills and tools to assist them toward becoming the first in their families to attend college. Students have the opportunity to experience the College Connection when they visit college campuses and engage in enrichment and academic activities.
Since the school year began, GEC students have been to Clemson University to participate in a program hosted by Call Me MISTER. While on the Clemson campus, students participated in sessions with professors and athletic department staff. In addition, students visited the campus of USC Upstate, where they were given scenarios to decide if they would accept various students to the University based on their transcripts.
Principal Mark Joseph said parents are extremely supportive of the program. It has been very rewarding when parents tell me how the Early College Program has changed their child. One mother cried as she told me her daughter is very excited about going to school and talking about college.
The GEC Program will expand by a grade each year until serving sixth through twelfth graders. Once in high school, students will have the opportunity to enroll in dual credit classes to earn college credit.
Greenville Early College is a partnership between Greenville County Schools, Clemson University, Furman University, and USC Upstate. The Greenville Early College Program has received significant support and investment from partners including Michelin North America, The Community Foundation of Greenville, The Hollingsworth Foundation, the Jolley Foundation, the Symmes Foundation, and United Way of Greenville County.