FAQ's

Our students are typical high school students who are driven, dedicated, and have a heightened work ethic. First generation college students (students who will be the first from their families to complete a four-year post-high school education) and students who are under-represented minorities are highly encouraged to attend JCEC due to the amount of support we offer. Through our focus on Portrait of a Graduate and HOUSE, students are encouraged to develop social, emotional, and academic skills that provide new opportunities. We also encourage and recognize the academically or intellectually gifted students who are searching for a different learning experience or an accelerated pathway. If a student is looking for an accelerated, but supported learning environment that offers specialized pathways, both career and college directed, he or she would do well to consider JCEC.

Students interested in attending must follow the application process to be accepted to JCEC. This includes: An online application- completed by students, with references from their current school. A written/timed writing. A group interview. Students who attend JCEC must be willing to accept responsibility for their academic growth in an academically rigorous and culturally relevant environment. Students must have the potential to succeed in college classes requiring independent dedication with the support of a dedicated and highly trained faculty.

JCEC is located on the Southwestern Community College Campus in Sylva, NC. Our primary building is located adjacent to the Holt Library on the back side of campus. Students are expected to be both connected in the JCEC building while traveling outside of the main building to college-level courses on a daily basis.

Since students attend college classes, JCEC follows a calendar based on both the JCPS calendar and the Southwestern Community College calendar. Parents and students need to be aware that sometimes the breaks and holidays may not match between the Jackson County Public Schools calendar and the Southwestern Community College calendar.

Students attend both high school and college classes, and are required to follow both campuses' expectations. Students are expected to express the maturity of college students, be respectful of others, and by responsible for their own academic growth.

JCPS Child Nutrition provides breakfast and lunch for our students transported from Smoky Mountain High School. Currently, JCPS provides breakfast and lunch at no cost to all JCPS students. If students do not want school meals, they may pack a lunch, or visit Cafe 64 on SCC’s campus. They may not leave school during the day for lunch.

Bus transportation is provided through Jackson County Public Schools. However, parents may drive their child and students may drive once they have their driver’s license. Students who live in the Swain County Schools District can contract transportation through Swain Transit. Students are expected to be on campus in time to check into the JCEC building and report to 8:00 am college courses.

Students complete 65 credit hours of general education courses which culminate in an AA or AS. These hours, if incomplete or not culminating in an AA or AS will transfer as general education courses. These credit hours are transferable to any of the UNC system colleges/universities and many of the private colleges/universities in NC. Students take college English Composition, Humanities/Fine Arts, Social/Behavioral Sciences, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and electives from the aforementioned academic areas. JCEC students may take traditional vocational courses like Welding, Cosmetology,  Child Care or Office Technology if seeking a certificate, but must choose this pathway with the JCEC/SCC liaison.

Arts & Sciences (AA, AFA, AS)

Workforce Continuing Education

Career Technologies (Certificate) 

JCEC is not a traditional high school and does not have their own team. However, JCEC students are allowed to participate on all Smoky Mountain High School sports teams. JCEC hosts school-based clubs during the week and students are encouraged to become involved with the various clubs, community service projects and organizations that JCEC and SCC offer, in addition to activities within their local communities.

During the first semester of their freshmen year, students will take at least one SCC course. Some courses throughout the student’s time at JCEC will count for both high school credit and college credit. If the student takes the RISE test (a prerequisite placement test) and passes all
sections, the student may place out of English 002. English 002 is a required prerequisite course for the associate degree, but it does not receive high school credit or transfer to a senior institution. Students who do not place out of this course, will complete this course during the first semester of freshman year so that they may continue on their SCC pathway.

JCEC students may take all of their SCC classes with regular community college students. JCEC students must be college-ready and able to interact appropriately with students who may be non-traditional/adult college students.

Completing a college degree is not the same as completing high school. Students' schedules are more individualized to meet their individual academic needs. Therefore, students progress through the program at different speeds. Students who successfully complete classes receive both their high school diploma and associate's degree in four years; a few students will complete both academic requirements in five years, or may choose to stay the fifth year to complete a certificate track. Some certificate tracks have age requirements to begin specific classes.

JCEC students do not have to pay tuition; Jackson County Public Schools pays for the textbooks. However, students have to pay for books/lab fees through Southwestern Community College, if repeating a course.

JCEC students who complete the 21st Century Graduation Requirements or the College/University Course of Study, Exit Standards(Three EOCs), will graduate with a North Carolina High School Diploma. If the student completes all requirements for a certificate, they will graduate with both a high school diploma and the certificate(s) received. If a student completes all ofthe requirements for their Associate of Science or Associate of Arts, they will graduate with their high school diploma and their AS or AA degree.

Students can attend Southwestern Community College summer school sessions only with the approval of our college liaison. However, it is the student’s responsibility to provide their own transportation and meals. It is recommended that students use their summer for other opportunities such as summer programs, volunteering, job shadowing, or gaining job experience.