How to Apply

Fill out the online application in the Apply tab of our website menu.  Be sure to list at least two references who can speak about your current academic performance and work ethic.  Applications must be received by February 15th to be considered for Fall admission.  

Once your application is received, we will request your school records from middle school including academics, test scores, attendance reports, and discipline reports.  Each student is required to participate in a group interview and write an essay in person.  These are typically scheduled early in March. 

Jackson County Early College is a Cooperative Innovative High School designed to serve students who are first generation college students and/or students in need of a more rigorous curriculum.  Students who have a good work ethic and are able to work independently and display maturity tend to do well at JCEC.  

We make every attempt to notify each student in April.  Each student who completes the application process, including the face to face interview and essay, will receive a letter in the mail notifying them if they have been accepted.

Attendance is very important at JCEC.  Students take college courses with college instructors and are expected to be in attendance for each class unless there are extenuating circumstances.  Behavior reports are considered to ensure that there are not behaviors that would impede a student's ability to be successful and make sounds decisions on a college campus.  

JCEC typically is only able to accept students entering in the 9th or 10th grade due to the course structure.  Students start taking college courses in the 9th grade year and would not be able to complete the required courses for graduation if they were accepted in their junior year.  There are some exceptions for students transferring from another early college who already have many college credits.  

Yes!  Our JCEC students are allowed to participate in sports at Smoky Mountain High School.  We have several students currently involved in a variety of sports (baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, cross country, football, cheer, wrestling, etc.)

Yes! JCEC students are allowed to participate in Marching Band at Smoky Mountain High School.  We have several students that travel over after school and participate in practice and are able to compete with the Band.