District outlines plan to relocate Greenville Early College into three high schools, citing 87% retention among current students

Doctor Royster and program lead Tara Dean updated the board on a planned transition that will move Greenville Early College'program operations from the standalone McAllister site into cohorts at three high schools (Carolina, Berea and Southside). Dean said the change is intended to expand participation and operate the program more efficiently.

Dean told trustees that of the students currently enrolled at the McAllister Greenville Early College site, 63 were zoned for Carolina High School and 60 of those have committed to continue in the program at Carolina; 16 were zoned for Berea (10 committed) and 11 were zoned for Southside (eight committed). "So this is an 87% retention rate," she said, summarizing the district'provided counts and commitments for existing students.

The presentation described program continuity measures: each of the three host high schools will keep dedicated Greenville Early College staff on site, provide a lead teacher/administrator, assign a counselor to follow cohorts from ninth through 12th grade and preserve key program elements such as college visits, community-service projects and on-site core classes so students are not traveling between campuses for core coursework.

Trustees asked detailed questions about eligibility for dual enrollment, whether the district'reported 300% figure represented interest or firm enrollment, and how transportation for trade or dual-enrollment courses would be handled. Dean and staff said multiple qualification paths exist for dual enrollment (grade'point averages, course grades, teacher recommendations and qualifying tests), and that the 300% number reflected recruitment interest that staff now expect to convert to enrollments after parent meetings and tours. On transportation, staff said Greenville Technical College obtained a grant to provide bus service for students from the three host schools; the district is not paying that grant-funded transportation.

Board members also pressed on staffing and class size. Royster and staff said each host site received two positions "above baseline" to help maintain small class sizes and continuity; principals at the three schools will supervise staff assigned on site.

The update noted continued community supports from OnTrack and United Way, and described recruitment and parent-meeting timelines. Trustees did not take an action vote; the item was presented for information only.