For the second year, students going into high school in Warren County have a third public option when it comes to what school they will be attending.
River City Early College High School is now accepting applications for incoming ninth-grade students.
The school located in Building One on the Vicksburg campus of Hinds Community College, 755 Mississippi 27, will hold two information sessions with student panels at 6 p.m. Tuesday and again Feb. 21 in the auditorium.
“Those are for parents, kids, anybody who wants more information,” guidance counselor Marian Richardson said.
The high school offers a traditional high school diploma, but students also have the option of graduating with an associate degree or two years of classes toward a bachelor’s degree, for free.
“Our ninth graders, when they finish their ninth-grade year, they already have two college classes under their belt,” Richardson said. “That’s just going to get more and more every year.”
Next year the school is allowing students to participate in sports and band. The high school is not starting its own programs, but instead these high school students will be allowed to join in these activities at the school their residence zones them for, either Vicksburg or Warren Central. Early College dismisses before the other two high schools, allowing students to travel to the schools at the end of the day to participate.
“They can go to their zoned schools at the end of the day if they want to do band or sports,” Richardson said.
This year the school will take up to 70 new ninth-grade students, bringing the entire school student total to about 130 with the existing class.
Richardson said there really isn’t a typical Early College student, but she said the student body is serious about their school work and also enjoy a fun atmosphere.
“We have a lot of fun, and we’re a very small school,” Richardson said.
Applications can be found on vwsd.org and are due Friday, Feb. 24. Students will be interviewed and selected by April, if not sooner, Richardson said.
“We will go as fast as we can,” she said.
For more information, email mrichardson@vwsd.org, or call 601-629-6812.