Washington Early College High

Washington Early College High is a very small early-college high school in Roper, NC, serving about 72 students in grades 9–12 within Washington County Schools, a district ranked in the bottom 20% statewide. Despite that backdrop, the school has earned 4–5 star state accountability ratings in recent years and ranked 148th out of 662 North Carolina high schools in 2025–2026 — the 78th percentile — while serving a student body in which nearly all students (about 96%) come from low-income households.

Academic results at Washington Early College High stand out sharply against nearby schools. In 2025–2026, biology proficiency reached 73.3%, well above the roughly 16% at Washington County High in the same district, 52% at John A Holmes High in Edenton-Chowan, and 25% at Columbia High in Tyrrell County. Math III proficiency was even more striking at 89.5%, compared with a 68.9% state average and 32.4% at Washington County High. Graduation rates have also stayed above both district and state levels — including 91.3% in 2024–2025 versus roughly 80% at Washington County High that same year.

Chronic absenteeism tells a similar story: just 5.5% in 2024–2025, compared with 44.5% at Washington County High, 26.9% at John A Holmes, and 47% at Columbia. The school also posts strong state rankings for African American students and students from low-income families, groups that make up most of its enrollment. With roughly 18 students per grade, results can swing from year to year, but multi-year trends are consistently strong — especially in math, where proficiency has topped 89% in three of the last four years. For parents seeking a small high school with high expectations and strong daily attendance, Washington Early College High is a notable standout in northeastern North Carolina.