Cooperative Innovative High Schools

North Carolina's Cooperative Innovative High Schools (CIHS) are public high schools that operate under a partnership between a school district and a community college or university. The programs are designed to expand students’ opportunities for educational success through high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) and dual-enrollment credit.

Wake Tech has partnered with the Wake County Public School System at four such high schools:

Wake Early College of Health and Sciences

The five-year program, which includes WakeMed as a partner, offers students the opportunity to earn their high school diploma while pursuing an associate degree. Students take rigorous honors classes for the two years on the Perry Health Sciences Campus and then take their remaining classes on the Scott Northern Wake Campus.

Wake Early College of Information and Biotechnologies

Located in the Lilly Science and Technology Center on the RTP Campus, the program offers students the opportunity to earn their high school diploma while pursuing an associate degree. It focuses on four program areas: Network Management, Computer Programming, Cybersecurity and Biotechnology.

Vernon Malone College and Career Academy

This CTE high school provides a strong academic foundation and education and training in six career programs: Biopharmaceutical Technology, Cosmetology, Facility Maintenance Technology, Nurse Aide, Simulation & Game Development and Welding. Students complete the requirements for high school graduation while earning college credits that can be applied toward an associate degree, diploma or certificate at Wake Tech.

North Wake College and Career Academy

This CTE high school provides a strong academic foundation and training in five career programs: Business Administration, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, Emergency Medical Science and IT Service and Support. Students complete the requirements for high school graduation while earning college credits that can be applied toward an associate degree, diploma or certificate at Wake Tech.

Enrolling in a CIHS

The steps to enroll in one of the four CIHS programs are different than for CCP programs. Students must go through the Wake County Public School System magnet school application process. A Wake Tech staff member assigned to each CIHS will then work with students and their parents on advising and other issues and will help them complete a Wake Tech application and enroll in college courses.