Letter to the Editor from the ECF/MCF Principal, Kenneth M. Jordan, III
 It is my pleasure to write on behalf of our high school to celebrate the continued partnership between Forsyth Technical Community College and our Early College of Forsyth (ECF) and Middle College of Forsyth (MCF) programs. These institutions are shining examples of what can be achieved when innovation, collaboration and student-centered values come together.    Forsyth Tech has long been a leader in educational innovation, and the Career and College Promise initiative, particularly through the Cooperative Innovative High Schools (CIHS), exemplifies this legacy. ECF and MCF are not just schools, they are transformative communities where students thrive academically and personally. The synergy between our high school and Forsyth Tech ensures that students are college-ready and future-ready.    This year’s graduating class of 2024–2025 has continued to raise the bar. Our students have earned impressive numbers of college credits, college acceptance, scholarships, and have contributed meaningfully to their communities. Many are graduating with associate degrees alongside their high school diplomas, which exemplifies the rigor and support embedded in the CIHS model. Their achievements reflect the strength of our partnership and the shared commitment to excellence.    We are especially proud of the collaborative spirit that defines our relationship with Forsyth Tech. From joint planning sessions during our Instructional Leadership Team meetings to shared celebrations, our teams work seamlessly to ensure every student receives the highest quality educational experience. This partnership is not only effective, but inspiring.    Thank you, Forsyth Tech, for your unwavering dedication to innovation and student success. We look forward to continuing this journey together and building even more opportunities for our students in the years to come.    Respectfully Submitted,
Kenneth M. Jordan III  Principal
Letter to the Editor from Stokes Early College Principal, David Durham
To the Citizens of Stokes County,
As principal of Stokes Early College High School, I am proud to share the extraordinary impact this school continues to have on our community. Stokes Early College was created through a powerful partnership between the Stokes County School System, Forsyth Tech and Stokes County Government. This cooperative, innovative high school model has opened doors for hundreds of students over the past sixteen years – doors that lead to college, careers and futures filled with possibility.
We first opened our doors in August 2009 with just 50 ninth graders learning in a temporary space at the Forsyth Tech Northwest Center. When the Forsyth Tech Stokes County Center opened the following year, our students moved into a dedicated home – one that has continued to grow. What began as a single building has expanded into a four-building campus nestled in the shadows of the beautiful Sauratown Mountains in Walnut Cove. This growth reflects the strength of our partnership with Forsyth Tech and our shared commitment to giving Stokes County students every opportunity to thrive.
Today, Stokes Early College serves between 150 and 170 students annually. Our mission is simple and unwavering: to provide each student – no matter their background, strengths, or challenges – with rich, personalized learning experiences that help them reach their full potential. Students begin with us in ninth grade and, by the time they graduate, they leave not only with a high school diploma but also with the opportunity to earn an Associate of Arts degree, an Associate of Science degree, valuable college credits, or a career certification or diploma. This is the heart of the early college model, and it is changing lives in Stokes County every year.
Our students excel both inside and outside the classroom. During the 2024–2025 school year, about 10% of our students participated in athletics at their traditional high schools. We celebrated a Men’s Soccer Goalie of the Year for the Northwest 1A Conference and two All-Conference athletes in Women’s Tennis. One of our Class of 2025 graduates will even continue competing at the collegiate level in NCAA Division II tennis.
The achievements of the Class of 2025 extend far beyond athletics. Our 37 graduates earned more than $3.5 million in scholarships, including recognition for one National Merit Scholar. Sixty-five percent of these graduates are transferring to four-year colleges to continue their education – an impressive indicator of the preparedness and confidence that the early college experience provides.
As a designated North Carolina Cooperative Innovative High School (CIHS), Stokes Early College offers opportunities that are truly unique in our region. Our school has earned its place among the finest in Stokes County, not only because of our students’ accomplishments, but also because of the unwavering support of our families, our community, and especially our partners at Forsyth Tech.
The success of Stokes Early College is proof of what can happen when a community invests in its young people. I am grateful for the continued trust you place in our school and proud of what our students achieve every day.

David Durham,
Principal
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High School Students Earn Associate Degree, Debt-Free!
Community colleges like Forsyth Tech excel at forging partnerships that expand educational opportunities. By collaborating with K-12 school systems, local industry and community organizations, Forsyth Tech creates innovative pathways for students of all ages to achieve their goals. These partnerships empower learners – whether they are teenagers or adults – to reach milestones that might otherwise be out of reach.
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One shining example is Forsyth Tech’s partnership with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools to host the Early College of Forsyth and Middle College of Forsyth. These Cooperative Innovative High Schools allow students to complete all their high school requirements on a college campus while simultaneously earning college credits – even an associate degree – by the time they graduate high school. This dual-enrollment model is tuition-free for families and yields outstanding results: Cooperative Innovative High Schools (CIHS) students consistently have a >95% high school graduation rate, well above state averages. Many Early/Middle College graduates cross the stage not only with a diploma but also with a Forsyth Tech credential in hand, giving them a debt-free head start in college or careers. Since inception, 2,050 students have graduated from these programs, with 592 currently enrolled. In fact, one Early College student graduated at just 17 years old. She earned her college degree before her high school diploma.

The Early College of Stokes, located at Forsyth Tech’s Stokes County Center, replicates this success for rural students. The recent Stokes Early College senior class collectively earned over $3.8 million in scholarships for college, underscoring the program’s impact.
CIHS students graduation rate
95%
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My favorite thing about Forsyth Tech is how supportive the school is for you, and how resourceful it is for first-generation students and transfer students.
Christopher G., Early College Student
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Forsyth Tech’s collaborative spirit also extends to workforce development for current high schoolers. In partnership with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) and Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. (GWSI), the college helps power the ASPIRE WS internship program. This transformative initiative brings together education and local employers to provide WS/FCS juniors and seniors with real-world work experience. Students first attend career-readiness workshops led jointly by Forsyth Tech and GWSI – learning professional skills like communication, résumé writing and interview prep. Those who complete the training earn a Work Ready credential and a $500 stipend, and become eligible to interview for summer internships. Local companies across Winston-Salem host interns for 80–135 hours of paid work (at least $10/hour), giving students invaluable exposure to careers in fields ranging from healthcare to advanced manufacturing. These internships (funded by grants and employer support) are opening doors for youth.

The ASPIRE WS partnership exemplifies how a community college, public schools and industry can unite to equip students with skills and opportunities before they even graduate high school. This summer, 28 students completed internships. Even more impressively, 124 students earned an ASPIRE WS Work Ready Credential, providing them with the foundational skills needed for workplace readiness they can use in career planning and goal setting.
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[My favorite thing about Forsyth Tech is] the community and the friendliness of everyone on campus.
Simon B., Early College Student
In all of these initiatives, the power of partnerships shines through. Forsyth Tech leverages its close ties with schools and community partners to meet students’ needs in innovative ways. From high schoolers accelerating into college to adults reclaiming their education, these collaborations exemplify the community college mission. By working together, we break down barriers and create life-changing opportunities – strengthening our workforce and community one student at a time.
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