Are you a parent in Guilford County with a middle or high school student? You have great options to help your child thrive – from specialized magnet high schools to tuition-free dual enrollment through North Carolina’s Career & College Promise (CCP) program. This guide breaks down these opportunities in a family-friendly way, so you can confidently support your teen’s education.
What Are Magnet High School Programs?
Magnet schools (also called choice programs) are public schools with specialized themes or curriculums that students can apply to attend. They remain part of the Guilford County public school system (so no tuition), but offer unique learning focuses – think science and technology, performing arts, advanced academics, or even early college programs. Magnet programs let students pursue their interests in-depth and learn in the style that suits them best. As Guilford County Schools puts it, they’re “designing educational programs that respond to what matters most: student interests [and] industry demands” (Choice Schools & Program Listings – Guilford County Schools).
Benefits of Magnet Programs: Families often choose magnets for the enriched environment and engaging themes. Magnet schools tend to have high parent and community involvement, personalized, theme-based learning, and a tight-knit culture around their focus area (Choice Programs – Guilford County Schools). This can create a shared sense of community and even a safer, more supportive environment for learning (Choice Programs – Guilford County Schools). Students get to dive into subjects they’re passionate about – for example, attending a high school dedicated to STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), to the arts, or to an International Baccalaureate (IB) program. They still cover all core academics, but with special projects, electives, and experiences related to the theme. Many magnets also offer opportunities like mentorships or industry certifications that traditional schools might not.
Examples: Guilford County has 48 choice schools and 66 specialized programs across all grade levels (Choice Programs – Guilford County Schools). At the high school level, options include:
- Career Academies – Schools like Kearns Academy and Academy at Smith, T. Wingate Andrews, NE Guilford to name a few, prepare students for high demand careers like AI, Cybersecurity, Pharmacy and other Healthcaee careers, Advanced Manufacturing, Aviation and other viable career paths.
- Early/Middle Colleges – small high schools on college campuses (such as GTCC or local universities) where students can earn up to two years of college credit by graduation.
- Performing & Visual Arts schools – like Weaver Academy, which combines a rigorous academic program with intensive arts training.
- IB Programs – like Grimsley High IB or High Point Central IB, offering the internationally recognized IB Diploma.
No matter the theme, all magnet programs are public and free to Guilford County residents. The main difference is that enrollment is by application because magnets often draw students from across the district (not just your neighborhood zone).
Enrollment Timeline: If your child is interested in a magnet high school, you typically need to apply during the fall of the year before enrollment. For example, the application window for the 2025–26 school year closed in November 2024 (Choice Programs – Guilford County Schools). (Guilford County Schools usually holds a “Choice Showcase” event each fall so families can explore programs.) Don’t worry if you missed the main window – sometimes there are still seats available afterward on a first-come, first-served basis (Choice Programs – Guilford County Schools). As of March 2025, GCS reported that a few magnet programs still had space for 2025–26 in various grades. It’s always a good idea to contact the GCS Choice office or the school if you’re late to apply; they can guide you on options. Generally, if you have a middle schooler, start researching magnets by 7th or 8th grade so you can meet any deadlines.
(GTCC Early/Middle Colleges class of 2022 saves more than $500,000 in four-year tuition costs) Students from a Guilford County early/middle college high school celebrate at their graduation, having earned both a diploma and two years of college credit through their magnet program. These cooperative innovative high school programs (a type of magnet) are an especially powerful option – the class of 2022 from Guilford’s early/middle colleges saved over $500,000 in college tuition, since most graduates left high school with two years of credits and could start university as juniors (GTCC Early/Middle Colleges class of 2022 saves more than $500,000 in four-year tuition costs) (GTCC Early/Middle Colleges class of 2022 saves more than $500,000 in four-year tuition costs). In fact, dozens of those students earned an associate degree alongside their high school diploma by the end of the program. This means huge savings in time and money for families, plus a smoother transition to college. While not every magnet is an early college, all magnet programs aim to give students a head-start on future goals – whether that’s college, a career, or specialized skill development – in a supportive environment.
Career & College Promise (CCP): Dual Enrollment in High School
Whether or not your teen attends a magnet, North Carolina’s Career & College Promise (CCP) program is another fantastic opportunity. CCP is the state’s dual enrollment program, which means high school students take college courses (through a local community college) while still enrolled in high school. In Guilford County, this is typically done through Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC). Here’s the best part – tuition is FREE for eligible high school juniors and seniors to take these college classes (Guilford County Schools to cover books and fees for Career and College Promise program at Guilford Technical Community College). This enables students to “earn college credits at a community college campus” tuition-free, as long as they meet the requirements (Guilford County Schools to cover books and fees for Career and College Promise program at Guilford Technical Community College).
How it Works: A junior or senior with at least a 2.8 unweighted GPA (or qualifying test scores) can apply to CCP at GTCC (Guilford County Schools to cover books and fees for Career and College Promise program at Guilford Technical Community College). Once accepted, they can enroll in real college courses offered by GTCC – the classes might be on a GTCC campus, online, or sometimes at their high school if available. Students earn transcripted college credit for each course they pass, and many of these courses can also count toward their high school graduation requirements. For example, a CCP student might take an English course at GTCC that satisfies their 12th-grade English credit and earns them college credit at the same time. It’s an amazing way to challenge eager learners and make the most of their junior/senior years.
Benefits of Dual Enrollment (CCP):
- Save Money on College: CCP courses waive tuition, which can save families thousands of dollars. (Students only pay small semester fees and textbooks – and in 2023-24, even those were covered by GCS as an extra help (Guilford County Schools to cover books and fees for Career and College Promise program at Guilford Technical Community College).) Earning college credits now means potentially fewer classes to pay for after high school. As GTCC’s Chief Academic Officer noted, dual enrollment is “tuition-free at tremendous cost savings to students and families.” (Guilford County Schools to cover books and fees for Career and College Promise program at Guilford Technical Community College) Many families see this as a way to make college more affordable.
- Save Time / Get Ahead: Credits earned through CCP can shorten the time needed to earn a college degree. Some ambitious students even complete enough courses for an Associate Degree by high school graduation. Most don’t go quite that far, but it’s common to finish high school with a semester or more of college already done. Statewide, CCP students often graduate high school with transferable college credits or career certificates in hand. In fact, dual enrollment has become so popular that over 78,000 North Carolina high schoolers participated in CCP in the 2022–23 school year (Dual enrollment in North Carolina grew 12% in 2022-23 – EducationNC)! Many could enter college as sophomores or juniors.
- Explore College and Careers Early: Dual enrollment lets teens try out college classes in subjects of interest. This can help them clarify what they might want to major in or pursue as a career – with much lower risk and cost than waiting until college. For example, a student considering nursing could take some introductory health science courses; someone eyeing engineering could start on math or physics. If they succeed, it’s great confidence-building. If it’s not for them, they’ve learned that early.
- Smoother Transition to College: There’s evidence that CCP participation sets students up for college success. Students learn how to navigate college-level coursework, manage their time, and use campus resources, all while still having the support of high school. Nationally, dual enrollment is the fastest-growing segment of community college education (Dual enrollment in North Carolina grew 12% in 2022-23 – EducationNC) – it’s growing because it works. Education experts say these “tuition-free opportunities are drivers of economic mobility and generational change” for families (Dual enrollment in North Carolina grew 12% in 2022-23 – EducationNC). In other words, earning college credit in high school can open doors and build confidence for students who might not have seen themselves as “college-bound” before.
- Earn Job-Ready Credentials: Not every student in CCP is aiming for a university transfer. Some use the program to earn career certifications that they can use right after high school. For instance, a student might complete a welding certificate, an IT networking credential, or an early childhood education certificate through CCP. These qualifications can make them immediately employable upon graduation, or give them a head-start if they continue in that field.
(High School Programs) High school students taking a college course at GTCC. Through CCP, teens attend classes taught at the college level (sometimes alongside adult college students), giving them a real taste of the college academic environment. GTCC professors and staff understand they are still high schoolers and provide guidance to help them succeed. Many CCP students find that the experience boosts their maturity and study skills, making the leap to full-time college much easier later on. And remember, students can participate in CCP regardless of which high school they attend – it’s open to students from any GCS high school (traditional or magnet), as well as homeschool or private school students in the county. If your teen isn’t in an early college magnet program, CCP is another way to access college courses while in high school.
Two Pathways in CCP: College Transfer vs. Career & Technical Education
CCP offers two main pathways for students: the College Transfer Pathway and the Career & Technical Education (CTE) Pathway (Guilford County Schools to cover books and fees for Career and College Promise program at Guilford Technical Community College). Both are dual enrollment, but they serve different goals:
- College Transfer Pathway: This pathway is for students planning to pursue a 4-year bachelor’s degree. It focuses on general education and introductory courses that transfer to universities. At GTCC, students can take courses toward an Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), or other transfer degrees (there are pathways in Fine Arts, Engineering, Nursing, etc.) (Guilford County Schools to cover books and fees for Career and College Promise program at Guilford Technical Community College). These are the same freshman/sophomore-level courses you’d take at a college – for example, English Composition, College Algebra, Psychology, U.S. History, Biology lab, etc. All UNC system public universities and many private colleges in NC accept these credits when earned through CCP (Guilford County Schools to cover books and fees for Career and College Promise program at Guilford Technical Community College), as long as the student earns a passing grade. This means a CCP student could enter a UNC university with a lot of their general education requirements already fulfilled. Some students who maximize this pathway even finish high school with an associate degree, then transfer to a university as a junior. (Most will do a smaller number of classes, which is perfectly fine – each credit earned is time saved later.)
- Career & Technical Education (CTE) Pathway: This pathway is for students interested in hands-on career skills or technical trades. GTCC offers 50+ certificate and diploma programs in areas like fire protection, criminal justice, culinary arts, medical office administration, early childhood education, aviation, welding, and more (Guilford County Schools to cover books and fees for Career and College Promise program at Guilford Technical Community College). Students in this pathway take courses specific to a career field, working toward a state-recognized certificate or diploma. For example, a student could complete a Welding Technology certificate, or finish many of the courses in a Cybersecurity pathway, or earn a certificate in Automotive Systems. These programs often equip students with skills to go directly into the workforce or into advanced technical training. By graduation, your teen might have a resume-ready credential (e.g. Emergency Medical Technician certification) or be well on their way to an Associate of Applied Science degree in that field. Even if they plan to pursue a four-year degree later, having a technical skill can provide job opportunities during college. It’s practical education at its best.
Some students actually enroll in both pathway types during high school (though officially you choose a primary pathway). For instance, a really motivated student might take some transfer classes and also pick up a career certificate. One Guilford County student, Malaika Siddique, managed to work toward an Associate in Arts and an accounting certificate at the same time via CCP, all while in high school (Teen juggles community service, high school, Career and College Promise program on journey toward graduation)! That kind of load isn’t typical, but it shows the flexibility of CCP to tailor to a student’s goals. Whether your teen wants to knock out general college credits or gain specific job skills (or both), CCP has options to fit.
Enrolling in CCP: How to Get Started and Key Dates for 2025
If your teen is interested in dual enrollment, you’ll want to plan ahead and follow the steps to get them enrolled. Here’s a simple roadmap:
1. Talk to your teen’s school counselor: Start by letting the school counselor know your student wants to do CCP. The counselor can share any school-specific process and ensure your child’s high school schedule can accommodate college courses. (Students usually take CCP courses during free periods, or outside normal school hours if online or evening. Transportation to campus may be something to consider, though many classes are available online.) The counselor will also help confirm that your student meets the eligibility (juniors/seniors with 2.8+ GPA or qualifying test scores).
2. Complete the CCP application to GTCC: The application is typically done online through GTCC (and may involve the statewide CFNC application system). You’ll need to submit the student’s high school transcript to show eligibility, and usually a permission form that a parent/guardian and the high school principal sign. (Essentially, GCS has to sign off that the student is allowed to dual-enroll.) GTCC provides a checklist of what to submit – things like residency verification, transcripts, and test scores if needed (Counseling Department / Career and College Promise (CCP)) (Counseling Department / Career and College Promise (CCP)). It’s important to apply by the deadlines (more on dates below) so your student can register in time.
3. Get acceptance and meet with CCP advisors: Once the application packet is processed, GTCC will notify your student (by email) of their acceptance and give them a GTCC student ID/login. The GTCC CCP staff often hold New Student Admissions Meetings or orientations for CCP students (Counseling Department / Career and College Promise (CCP)). In these sessions (or online modules), students learn how to search and register for classes, program expectations, and get any questions answered (Counseling Department / Career and College Promise (CCP)). Make sure your student attends any required orientation – it’s usually mandatory before they can start classes.
4. Register for classes during the open registration period: After acceptance and any orientation, the student will actually sign up for the specific college courses they want to take. GTCC uses an online system (Self-Service) for registration. The high school counselor and the CCP advisors can guide course selection to ensure the classes fit the student’s high school requirements and pathway. For example: A College Transfer pathway student might register for ENG 111 (Expository Writing) and MAT 171 (Precalculus) in the fall term; a CTE pathway student might enroll in Welding I. Course registration happens on specific dates each semester, so you’ll want to be ready. (See the 2025 timeline below.)
5. Enjoy the classes and earn credits!: Once registered, your teen attends the college classes and does the coursework like any college student. Keep in mind they will have both a high school and a college transcript after this. It’s important they stay on top of assignments and communicate if any issues arise – they’ll be juggling high school and college responsibilities. Encourage them to use GTCC resources like tutoring or the library if needed. And of course, celebrate their achievements as they successfully complete these courses! Every credit earned is a big step forward.
Throughout this process, remember that help is available. GTCC’s CCP office and your school counselors are used to guiding families through these steps. In fact, GTCC regularly hosts free information sessions for students and parents to learn about CCP in detail. For Spring 2025, multiple one-hour info sessions were held at the GTCC Jamestown campus (Koury Center Auditorium) – for example, sessions took place on Feb. 12, Feb. 27, March 4, March 6, and March 11 in the evening (Career and College Promise ). At these events, staff explain the program, the admissions process, and qualifications, and you can ask questions (no reservation required) (Counseling Department / Career and College Promise (CCP)). Keep an eye out for new dates; GTCC usually announces additional info sessions each semester. If you can’t attend in person, GTCC also has a CCP Admissions information presentation available online (Career and College Promise ). And you can always reach out to the GTCC CCP team by phone or email – they are friendly and happy to help families navigate the steps.
Key Enrollment Dates: Summer and Fall 2025
Planning ahead is crucial with dual enrollment because of the application and registration timelines. Here are the key dates for enrolling in CCP at GTCC in 2025:.
- Summer 2025 Term: Registration opens in April 2025 for summer courses. April 14, 2025 is the first day of open course registration for both Summer and Fall 2025 at GTCC (Register For Classes). We recommend having the CCP application completed by March or early April for a summer start. Summer session courses at GTCC typically start in late May or early June. In 2025, the 10-week Summer session classes begin May 21, 2025 (and the last day to register for that session is May 20) (Register For Classes). There is also an 8-week summer session starting in early June (Register For Classes). So, if your student wants to take a summer class after sophomore or junior year, be sure to apply by the spring and register by mid-May (Register For Classes). Summer is a shorter term, but it can be a good chance to pick up an extra class.
- Fall 2025 Semester: Application and registration happen in spring/summer 2025 for Fall courses. As mentioned, course registration opens April 14, 2025 for Fall (Register For Classes), though you can still apply after that date if space allows. In past years, GTCC set the final CCP application deadline around mid-July for fall enrollment (Guilford County Schools to cover books and fees for Career and College Promise program at Guilford Technical Community College). It’s best not to wait that long, as popular classes may fill up. Aim to have your student’s application submitted by the end of their 10th or 11th grade year (April or May 2025) for fall enrollment. Fall 2025 classes will start August 14, 2025 at GTCC (Register For Classes), which means high school students need to register and have everything approved before that start date. The last day to register for fall classes will be in early August (for 2025, it’s August 12) (Register For Classes). So essentially, summer 2025 is decision time for fall – get schedule approval from the high school and register by the first week of August. Once classes begin in mid-August, they run through mid-December.
Mark Your Calendar: March 31, 2025 is the opening of priority registration (for returning students) and April 14, 2025 is the opening of open registration for new CCP students for both Summer and Fall 2025 (Register For Classes). Having your application done by that time means your student can snag a seat in the classes they want. Classes can fill up, so earlier is better! Also note, GTCC plans some changes in Fall 2025 – they will be shifting most courses to an 8-week format (two mini-mesters per semester) instead of the traditional 16-week format (PowerPoint Presentation). (Long story short, research shows students do better in shorter focused classes, so GTCC is moving to 8-week sessions for improved learning outcomes (PowerPoint Presentation).) This means your student might take, for example, one or two courses in the first half of the fall, and another one or two in the second half. It’s a new structure, but many students find it helps them concentrate on fewer subjects at a time and finish courses faster. Just keep it in mind when planning the fall schedule.
Finally, encourage your student to stay organized. Once they apply, they should frequently check their email for updates from GTCC (Counseling Department / Career and College Promise (CCP)). There may be additional forms or orientation steps sent to them. After they’re enrolled, they will have both a high school and GTCC email – checking the GTCC Titan email daily is important because registration confirmations and class info will come there (Counseling Department / Career and College Promise (CCP)). It’s a good exercise in responsibility for them, with you keeping an eye on things in the background.
Supporting Your Child’s Journey
Navigating high school choices can feel overwhelming, but remember you have a team on your side. Guilford County Schools and GTCC share the goal of helping your child succeed. Whether your family chooses a magnet high school, dual enrollment through CCP, or both, you’re opening doors for your teen’s future. These programs are designed to meet students’ individual needs and aspirations – as GCS says, providing “educational choices to help our students grow” (Guilford County Schools to cover books and fees for Career and College Promise program at Guilford Technical Community College). Many families have walked this path, and there are plenty of success stories to inspire you.
By staying informed (attend info sessions, ask counselors questions) and being mindful of timelines, you can confidently guide your child. Celebrate the excitement of them taking on new challenges! Your support and encouragement will give them the confidence to thrive in these advanced programs. Whether they’re suiting up for a specialized magnet school or stepping onto a college campus as a high schooler, they’ll be learning in an environment that brings out their potential (Choice Programs – Guilford County Schools).
In the end, the goal is to help your teen graduate high school with a strong foundation for their next step – be it college, a career, or other ambitions. Guilford County’s magnet schools and the CCP dual enrollment program are two powerful ways to make that happen. By leveraging these opportunities, your family can save time and money, and most importantly, empower your child to pursue their passions. It’s truly a win-win. Here’s to watching our students shine, supported by the choices we’ve helped them make!
