About Us

The school year typically begins a little earlier for UCEC students than for students in a traditional high school. View the 2025-2026 School Calendar.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

Apply in Scribbles.

Please email Principal Michael Murray at michael.murray@ucps.k12.nc.us or call us at 704-290-1565.

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.

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.

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.

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.