Skip To Main Content

Academics

Gaston Early College High School (GECHS) is an exciting innovative high school located on the Gaston College campus in Dallas, N.C. GECHS is operated by Gaston County Schools and Gaston College through a joint partnership.

This exclusive, non-traditional high school offers Gaston County students a unique opportunity to receive a high school diploma from Gaston County Schools while earning an Associate of Arts, Science, or Engineering degree from the community college.

Gaston Early College High School boasts state-of-the-art technology and rigorous academics. The school opened in August
2012 and allows high school students to take college courses at no additional cost. After graduation, students may transfer to a
four-year college or university.

Benefits

  • Small school setting of no more than 270 students 
  • Continuous support for academic success Associate of Arts, Science or Engineering degree 
  • Free, transferable college credit while attending high school 
  • Programs and courses that boost academic achievement 
  • Graduate with a high school diploma and a two-year college transfer degree
  • Classroom instruction by exceptionally qualified high school teachers and college instructors

Goals

  • Provide exceptional educational opportunities for students who seek a challenge above and beyond the traditional high school curriculum. 
  • Foster a “college-going” culture and encourage students to complete the Associate of Arts, Science, or Engineering degree program. 
  • Offer a college experience for first-generation college students who may not have the financial means to attend.

Impressive Opportunities

  • Offers accelerated studies with a more challenging curriculum. 
  • Expands and enriches student knowledge and prepares students for four-year college classrooms. 
  • Provides students a chance to learn about college life while still in high school. 
  • Features collaboration with post-secondary institutions that develops a seamless education experience. 
  • Gives students internships, job shadowing, community service experiences, and opportunities to network with business leaders. 
  • Opens doors for college scholarships.

Course Offerings
Students take accelerated high school and college-level courses in English, math, science, social studies, digital communications, humanities, world language, business, sociology, psychology, health/physical education, and music/art. Elective courses also are available.

Selection Process
Information about the lottery process is available in January each year.  Students must be enrolled in the 8th grade and meet eligibility requirements when they apply. Eligible students who apply will be placed in the lottery. There are 54 seats available, and a waitlist will be
established. Students must be Gaston County residents and successfully complete the 8th grade to attend GECHS.