Who We Are

Our Mission Statement:

Early College High School will develop intellectually confident and independent people who seize opportunity to continually better themselves, their communities, and the world.

Our Background:

Early College High School (ECHS) is a partnership between Charleston County School District and Trident Technical College (TTC). ECHS students are provided the opportunity to enroll in dual credit courses at TTC’s Palmer Campus their sophomore year. While earning a high school diploma, ECHS students may earn up to two years of college credit, an associate degree, in a small, personalized high school learning environment. 

Early College is an AVID Site of Distinction. AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, engages students in developing the fundamental skills of writing, inquiry, and collaboration. Additionally, AVID provides ECHS students a framework for mastering the organizational, reading comprehension, and self-agency skills consistent with 21st century college and career readiness. Students interested in health science career fields may apply to be part of the MUSC Health Science Cohort at Early College. ECHS students selected to participate in the MUSC Cohort are offered exclusive opportunities to learn from MUSC professionals, including job shadowing, internships, and clinical rotations at MUSC.  

Early College High School serves students who have the academic potential, desire, and determination to be successful. Interested students should possess a high level of commitment, academic tenacity, and show the potential to do college-level work through their previous attendance, coursework, and character. Economically disadvantaged and first-generation students are given priority consideration.