Edgecombe Early College High

Edgecombe Early College High is a small public high school in Tarboro, NC, serving just 171 students in grades 9 through 12, and it stands as a remarkable exception in a county where most high schools struggle. Despite a student body in which more than 98% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, the school has earned 4 or 5 stars for six consecutive years and currently ranks #77 out of 662 North Carolina high schools — the 88th percentile statewide. That puts it far ahead of its own district, Edgecombe County Public Schools, which ranks in the bottom 13% of North Carolina districts.

Academically, Edgecombe Early College High posts scores that dwarf those of nearby schools. On 2025–2026 state exams, 90.3% of students scored proficient in English II, 90% in Math I, and 100% in Math III — compared with just 27.9% and 38.9% in those same subjects at nearby Tarboro High. Biology proficiency is 86.7% versus 27.4% districtwide. The school even outperforms strong regional schools like Nash Central High, whose best subject score was 75.9% in Math III. Its statewide rank has also been steady — between #47 and #100 over the past six years — so these results are not a one-year fluke.

The school's culture shows up beyond test scores too. Chronic absenteeism is just 8.7%, compared with 38.9% for the district and 24.2% statewide. The school also achieves strong results for students who are historically underserved, ranking in the top 10% statewide for African American, Hispanic, and low-income students in recent years. As an early college model, students can earn college credit while still in high school, and the school does this at a lower per-student cost than nearby traditional high schools. One caution: with only 171 students, year-to-year swings are possible, but six years of consistent performance suggests the results are real. For parents, this small school offers something rare in the region — strong academics, strong attendance, and a clear path to college.