ISAAC M BEAR EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL

Isaac M Bear Early College High School is a Title I public high school that is part of the New Hanover County Schools school district, located in Wilmington, NC with about 227 students offering grade levels from 9th Grade to 12th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 10 teachers, Isaac M Bear Early College High School has a student/teacher ratio of about 22:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

Isaac M. Bear Early College High School (IMB), located on the campus of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), is a unique partnership between the New Hanover County School System and the university. Designed for students who are ready for an accelerated academic environment, the school focuses on a "dual-enrollment" model. This approach allows students to complete their high school graduation requirements while simultaneously earning up to two years of transferable college credit, often leading to an Associate degree or significant progress toward a Bachelor’s degree by the time they graduate high school.

The school is characterized by a small, rigorous learning community that emphasizes academic independence, critical thinking, and college readiness. Because IMB is integrated into the UNCW campus, students have the opportunity to engage in a college-level atmosphere, utilizing university resources and interacting with a broader collegiate environment. The program is specifically intended for students who are motivated to pursue higher education early and who thrive in an environment that bridges the gap between traditional secondary education and the independence of a university setting.

For more information, contact Isaac M Bear Early College High School at (910) 350-1387 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.