• EARLY COLLEGE

    Central Piedmont’s Early College welcomes you to our Central Campus for the fall 2023 academic year. Students in grades 9, 10, and 11 are eligible to enroll and there are no entry requirements.

    WHAT IS EARLY COLLEGE?

    Early College is part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ (CMS) Cooperative Innovative High Schools and focuses on first generation college preparatory students, underrepresented students, and students who would benefit from accelerated learning opportunities.

    As a graduate of Central Piedmont’s Early College, you will earn a high school diploma and up to two years of transferable college credit or an associate’s degree, tuition free. Books and fees will be provided at no charge.

    BENEFITS OF EARLY COLLEGE

    There are many benefits to enrolling in Central Piedmont’s Early College, including:

    • small classes with rigorous academics, including Honors and Advanced Placement courses
    • significant cost savings from earning college credits in high school that you can apply to a two- or four-year degree 
    • options for industry certifications and hands-on coursework in HVAC, electrical, welding, carpentry, and more
    • access to our Career Services team who can help you identify and achieve your career goals
    • opportunities for internships and apprenticeships
    • transportation available to Central Campus through Magnet Express Stops and public transportation

    CHARACTERISTICS OF EARLY COLLEGE STUDENTS

    Early College can be a great fit for academically-driven students who are looking for a different high school experience. Successful students typically have the following things in common:

    • want to pursue Honors and Advanced Placement classes
    • care deeply about their education and future success
    • seek internships and other opportunities
    • are responsible and mature and can manage a college schedule, but still want to experience things like prom and high school athletics available through your home school

    Does this sound like you? If so, make plans to sign up next year through the CMS School Choice Lottery. Keep an eye on the CMS calendar for lottery and magnet application deadlines.

    APPLICATION PROCESS

    Students can apply through the CMS School Choice Lottery.

    Early College is only available for CMS students. If you are not a CMS student, you may be eligible to earn college credit at Central Piedmont through Career & College Promise dual enrollment.

    STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

    Contact Principal Erik Turner with questions about the Early College at Central Piedmont.

    APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO A CMS EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL

    • Apply

    • Complete the Central Piedmont Early College Application

      Print and complete the application.

      Then email the completed CPEC application to Erik Turner or Cassie Sharpe.

    • Create Your Central Piedmont Login and Sign Up for Multi-factor Authentication

      Once you get the email with your ID number (step 1), claim and activate your student login account the following day. (If you have trouble activating your account, contact the ITS Service Desk or a student success navigator.) Your Central Piedmont login is also the first part of your Central Piedmont email.

      About an hour after creating your Central Piedmont login, you'll be able to use your login to access your student email account, personal information, and academic records; and log on to Central Piedmont computers.

      Once you have access, it's very important that you go into the account management portal and add a secondary email to help you access your account if you ever forget your password. You can then reset your password anytime using the "Forgot Password?" option in the account management portal.

      Your Central Piedmont email is the college's official means of communicating with you. Check your Central Piedmont student email every day to make sure you don't miss important messages from us, your instructors, advisors, the Cashier's office, campus alerts, and more.

      All students are required to sign up for multi-factor authentication (MFA). Learn more about how to set up MFA on your device.