| The Middle College High School
at Durham Tech graduates its first class in June 2007. When the Middle College
High School first opened in 2005, 67 students left their traditional schools
in the Durham Public Schools system, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools system,
and Orange County School System or their home school setting to come to
the newly developed high school on Durham Tech’s Main Campus. Durham
Public Schools is financially supporting 50 percent of the program, and
the other two systems are each paying for 25 percent.
Dr. Charles Nolan, who has been principal since the Middle College High
School opened its doors, says the size of the school and the opportunity
to take college courses lure students to Durham Tech. “Some students
feel lost in the large high schools and feel more comfortable in smaller
classes,” he said.
Dr. Phail Wynn, Jr., president of Durham Tech was a strong proponent of
the Middle College High School. “Here there are no cliques and no
peer pressure. But students are giving up extra-curricular activities.
These students are here specifically to focus on their education,”
he said.
Middle College High School students take their core classes of math, science,
language arts, and social studies. Eligible students may also take Durham
Tech classes as electives for dual credit. Durham Tech was the first community
college in the state to attempt a Middle College High School with three
separate public school systems.
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