'Wouldn't want my daughter to be anywhere else:' Q&A with mom on benefits of Wake Early College

For more than a decade, Wake Early College of Health and Sciences has offered a unique opportunity for Wake County high schoolers interested in exploring their career options in the health and sciences.

Through a partnership with Wake Tech and WakeMed Health and Hospitals, students in the five-year Wake County Public School System high school program earn not only a high school degree, but also an associate degree and college transfer credit, according to the school's website.

The small high school - no more than 400 students can attend at any given time - is tuition free. The program starts with two years of honors high school classes on the campus of the Perry Health Sciences Campus of Wake Tech near WakeMed. For the final three years, students attend classes on the Northern Campus of Wake Tech.

If you have a rising ninth grader in Wake County, now is the time to start mapping out your family's plans for their high school years.

The application period for Wake Early College of Health and Sciences - and all of Wake's early colleges - runs through 5 p.m., Nov. 30. With the online application, students will need to submit their grades, end of grade or course exam scores, teacher recommendation and essay.

Wake County's school system has some events coming up, so parents and students can learn more about all of their options and, more specifically, Wake Early College of Health and Sciences. Families can

• Attend the Magnet, Year Round and Early College Schools Fair from 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 3, at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School, 2600 Rock Quarry Rd.
• Sign up for the Wake Early Colleges of Health and Sciences open house at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 13.
• Sign up for information sessions at the school through the end of November.

It's worth noting that Wake County's other magnet, year round and early college schools also are offering tours and open houses as well. Just check out their website to find links to more information and registration pages.

To learn more about Wake County Early Colleges of Health and Sciences, I checked in with Marie McCartney, a mom of three kids ages 12, 15 and 22, and three stepchildren, ages 6, 13 and 15. McCartney's daughter Evelyn, 15, is a sophomore at Wake Early College of Health and Sciences. McCartney is a clinical services technician at WakeMed.

Here's a Q&A:

Go Ask Mom: Why did your family choose Wake Early College of Health and Sciences? What part of it appealed to you?

Marie McCartney: My daughter wanted to pursue wake early college. She did all the research and took me to the Early College Fair. I loved the fact that she has so many opportunities and will graduate with her associate degree.

GAM: Tell us about the experience your daughter his having?

MM: My daughter is having a great experience. She is the vice president of the sophomore class in the student government association. She is in Chick-fil-A Leader Academy. She has incredible teachers and administration to turn to if she needs any assistance. She has made some good friends that I think she will keep for a lifetime. She is definitely stressed at times, but I don't think she wants to be anywhere else.

GAM: How is Wake Early College for Health and Sciences similar to the traditional high school experience? How is it different?

MM: Wake Early College is smaller and the students get more one-on-one time. In traditional high schools, I feel like students can fall through the cracks. Wake Early students can do sports through Enloe High School. Wake Early also has SGA, Key Club, music club, Chick-fil-A Leader Academy and more. They also do things like a Hispanic heritage night and an international festival, so all students can show their culture.

GAM: What are your daughter's plans after graduation? How has Wake Early College prepared her for that?

MM: My daughter wants to be a pediatric general surgeon. I feel like since she will be able to graduate with her associate degree along with her high school diploma that it will definitely get her a jump start on her future goals. She has the opportunity to job shadow, meet different colleges, explore careers in healthcare, and has amazing people to help guide her to help her reach her goals.

GAM: What advice would you give a parent of a rising ninth grader who is wondering if it's the right choice for them?

MM: The program is fast pace and stressful. Students need to take a leadership role in their own education. Students need to strive to be their best and be ready to help each other. It's been hard for me to take a step back from going and speaking to teachers, but I've been able to help guide my daughter on how to approach professors and I've been able to watch her grow by doing this. I wouldn't want my daughter to be anywhere but WECHS.

Go Ask Mom features local moms every Monday.