YADKIN EARLY COLLEGE

Yadkin Early College is a Title I public high school that is part of the Yadkin County Schools school district, located in Yadkinville, NC with about 217 students offering grade levels from 9th Grade to 13th 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 8 teachers, Yadkin Early College has a student/teacher ratio of about 27:1. 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.

Yadkin Early College (YEC), located on the campus of Surry Community College in Yadkinville, North Carolina, is an innovative educational partnership between the Yadkin County School System and Surry Community College. Designed as a specialized high school, it offers students the unique opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree—or up to two years of transferable college credit—simultaneously. By integrating rigorous high school curriculum with college-level coursework, the school aims to accelerate academic achievement and reduce the financial burden of higher education for local families.

The school is structured to foster a supportive, small-learning environment that encourages student autonomy, critical thinking, and professional development. Because YEC students are fully immersed in the community college setting, they benefit from access to campus resources, diverse elective pathways, and a mature academic atmosphere that bridges the gap between secondary school and university life. This model is particularly beneficial for students seeking a head start on their careers or those who thrive in a non-traditional, fast-paced academic setting, ultimately preparing them for seamless transitions into four-year universities or the workforce.

For more information, contact Yadkin Early College at (336) 386-3579 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.