Specialized High School Programs and Early Colleges

We look forward to seeing you at the 2026-2027 NHCS Specialized Programs information sessions - timeline below!

2026-2027 APPLICATION TIMELINE INFORMATION

Public Informational Sessions:

November 9 - Minnie Evans Center (Veterans Park), 6:00-7:30 p.m.

November 12 - Holly Shelter Middle School, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

November 16 - Roland Grise Middle School, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Individual Schools In-house Program Nights:

November 30 - Southeast Area Technical High School (SEA-Tech) (auditorium)

December 1 - Wilmington Early College High School (BB&T Auditorium)

December 2 - Laney STEM (media center)

December 7 - New Hanover Lyceum (cafeteria)

December 8 - Ashley Marine Science Academy (MSA classroom)

December 9 - Isaac Bear Early College High School (UNCW - Morton Auditorium)

December 10 - Hoggard International Baccalaureate (cafeteria)

December 10 - Career Readiness Academy at Mosley International Night

Additional Key Dates:

December 13 - Virtual Q&A Informational Session, 6:00-7:00

December 13 - Programs post video prompts

January 3 - 24 - Application window is open (all components due by 11:59 p.m., January 24)

February 19 - Initial letters emailed with time for confirmation from students/families (due by 2/25)

February 26 - Second letters emailed with time for confirmation from students/families (due by 3/4)

For more information about programming or the application process, please reach out to Dr. Jean Hall, Supervisor of Innovative and Special Programs:

910-254-4235 / jean.hall@nhcs.net or special.programs@nhcs.net

New Hanover County Schools offers four Non-Traditional High Schools in addition to Signature Programs and Specialty Options at each of its traditional high schools. In offering these programs, we are committed to spirited learning, growth, development, and fun. We empower our students to ask insightful questions, explore disciplinary boundaries, and confront conventional ways of thinking.

We invite you to learn more about NHCS Signature Programs and Specialty Options and discover an education built for you. The transformative learning experiences at NHCS high school Signature Programs and Specialty Options are designed to help our students grow both in and out of the classroom.

Developed over a series of years, each high school created a focused program unique to their site to which students may apply. Our high schools have programs for students to access Cape Fear Community College and UNC-Wilmington, schools with a career technical or a career readiness focus. International Baccalaureate, STEM, Marine Science, and Lyceum are other programs offered.