Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes WAAT different from a Traditional High School?
WAAT students are dually enrolled as high school students AND community college students, meaning they will have earned a high school diploma AND an associate degree upon graduation. While students at traditional high schools are also able to take community college courses, students at WAAT are given priority during the registration process. Also, because all of our students are working towards an associate degree, we are better equipped to assist students and make individual adjustments as needed.
Will students get to have traditional high school experiences? (i.e. Prom, Spirit Week, Competitive Sports, Clubs, etc.)
WAAT students have many of the same experiences and opportunities as those in a traditional setting. We host a prom for our upperclassmen each year, enjoy a spirit week, pep rally, and homecoming experience tied together with our annual flag football game with our rivals at WECA, offer a variety of student-led clubs including NHS, SGA, and HOSA, and so much more! While we are not considered a “traditional” high school, we do enjoy the traditions that many of our students think of when they think about the high school experience.
Where is the school located?
WAAT is located on the east campus of Wilson Community College on the corner of Ward Blvd. and Highway 301. We are just across the street from McDonalds and have the newest school building in the county!
Is transportation provided for all students?
Yes! Transportation is available to every student - as long as the student lives in Wilson County.
Does WAAT operate on the same schedule as a traditional high schools?
No. WAAT follows the Wilson Early College Calendar, which can be found on the Wilson County Schools website. Our school year begins in early August and ends in mid-May. Unlike traditional schools, our students are able to enjoy a brief fall break in early October and an earlier spring break - typically in early March.
Our daily schedule is a bit different too! Our school operates from 9:30am - 4:00pm on Monday - Thursday and from 9:30am - 12:00pm on Friday.
Do students have to pay for tuition, books, and fees and Fees at Wilson Community College?
No! Fortunately, because WAAT is designated as an early college high school by the state of North Carolina, all fees related to student college courses are paid for by the state. Students can therefore earn their associates degree FREE of Charge!
How can I enroll my student at WAAT?
Students must apply to WAAT as an 8th grader (rising 9th grader). Students who attend any accredited Wilson County middle school are eligible to apply. There is an application, interview, and assessment process. For specific questions about timelines and deadlines, please contact the school at (252)-265-4038.
What is used to determine acceptance?
The admission team uses a student’s past report card grades, attendance reports, discipline records, and standardized test (EOG) data. Qualifying students will be asked to sit for an interview. The interview team is looking for motivated students that have a desire to utilize the benefits of WAAT to advance themselves. A composite score will be generated from these artifacts and offers for acceptance will be made.
What programs of study are offered at WAAT and how do students select their program?
Currently, we offer our students the opportunity to pursue one of SEVEN associates degrees at the community college. Those degree pathways are:
- Associate of Science
- Associate of Arts
- Criminal Justice Technology
- Automotive Technology
- Building Construction Technology
- Applied Engineering Technology
- BioTechnology
During their 9th grade year, students are introduced to each of the pathways offered and given an overview of the opportunities each pathway can provide. At the end of their 9th grade year - after they have had ample exposure to each of the degree pathways - students are asked to select the pathway that best aligns with their goals and interests.
What are the academic requirements of WAAT students?
It is important to remember that WAAT students are enrolled also as community college students. Therefore, they are expected to study and work at the level of a college student. This means that we expect our students to have good attendance, manage their time wisely, and maintain a grade of “C” or higher in all of their courses. That being said, we offer a TON of academic and emotional support to our students as they adjust to the increased work load of an early college student.
What are the advantages of being a WAAT student?
As is previously mentioned, students are able to earn an associates degree in one of seven areas completely FREE of charge during their time with us. Our students are given priority during the registration process at the college, meaning they will likely get the classes they need when they need them.
Our students also benefit from the many industry partners that have formed relationships with our school. While some of our industry partners invite our students to their work places so that students can experience these industries firsthand, others volunteer to come into our classrooms and co-teach with our amazing teachers to better show the relationship between state curriculum and workplace requirements. Some of our partnerships include Merck, Johnson and Johnson, Greenlight, Kenly Ford, Bridgestone, and many more! For a complete list of our partnerships, check out the community partnerships tab under “our school” on our school’s website!
Our students also typically enjoy smaller, more intimate class sizes. This means that our students often have good relationships with their teachers and can get the support they need more easily than they could if they were in a larger, more chaotic environment.
Our students also enjoy a brand new school building - the newest in the county! We have preferential access to technologies that many schools do not, including a state of the art health-sciences room (used by other schools in the county as well as the community college), 3-D Printers, Lathes, etc.
Lastly, as students advance into their senior year, they often enjoy more flexibility in their schedules. Our current class of senior students only have 1-2 classes on our campus. The rest are either done virtually through the college, on the main campus of the college, or some of both. This is a very brief list of the advantages of being a WAAT student. There are many, many more!