Agriculture and Science Early College

Agriculture and Science Early College (ASEC), located in Olin, North Carolina, is a specialized secondary school that operates as a partnership between Iredell-Statesville Schools and Mitchell Community College. Designed as an "early college" model, the school offers students a rigorous academic environment where they can earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree simultaneously. The curriculum is uniquely centered on agriculture, environmental science, and STEM-based learning, providing students with a pathway toward careers in the agricultural industry and related scientific fields.

The school emphasizes a small-learning-community approach, which fosters close relationships between students, faculty, and the local agricultural community. By integrating college-level coursework into the high school experience, ASEC prepares students for higher education or the workforce at a significantly accelerated pace. Its location in Olin reflects its commitment to local engagement, often utilizing the surrounding rural landscape as a living laboratory to provide hands-on experience in modern agricultural practices, sustainability, and applied sciences.