BREC Welcome Letter

Blue Ridge Early College is a unique school with excellent students and staff. BREC is a traditional high school with an additional optional layer of college opportunities. Students have the opportunity to graduate with one or a combination of, a traditional high school diploma, a certificate and/or an Associate degree. Students have the flexibility of taking Southwestern Community College courses while at Blue Ridge Early College to complete an Associate degree, or they may take SCC courses to obtain a workforce certificate, all while completing high school courses for a high school diploma. Currently, there are about 50% of our 9th–13th year students enrolled in SCC classes. The 2014-2015 senior class earned a combined 490 credit hours of college course work, resulting in our students earning an average of 20 hours of college credit by their senior year. BREC previously had 7 students during the 2014-2015 school year working in their 13th year, earning a combined 351 college credit hours resulting in an average of 50 credit hours per student. Faculty members participate in small-group collaborative planning and learning communities to provide opportunities such as small group tutoring, interdisciplinary activities and technology based learning. BREC provides a small, collaborative atmosphere for learning in a close knit community.

Blue Ridge Early College also provides opportunities for students to participate in academic and service clubs throughout the school year. Students participate in monthly advisory group meetings that focus on student needs. BREC students also participate in clubs that incorporate real world experiences and opportunities. Students in Beta Club must maintain a 3.65 GPA with 15 members actively participating. For middle school students, a Jr. Beta Club is also provided, requiring students to earn an A average to be accepted, and maintain a B average throughout middle school. Interact Club, a service club with 20 active members, is also provided as an opportunity that encourages community outreach by requiring students to complete at least 10 service hours each school year. BREC also provides a Student Government Association. Currently, this active group is composed of elected officers and representatives at each high school grade level. The SGA organizes events and fundraisers throughout the school year.

During the 2014-2015 school year, Blue Ridge Early College graduates earned over $60,000 in scholarship money, with over $30,000 coming from local scholarships. Blue Ridge Early College continues to maintain a high graduation rate with greater than 95% of students graduating.