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

This five-year program, which includes WakeMed as a partner, is housed at Wake Tech’s Perry Health Sciences Campus and Scott Northern Wake Campus. Students take high school honors classes for the first two years and are dual-enrolled in Wake Tech courses for the final three years, earning their high school diploma and an associate degree while completing prerequisite courses and gaining college transfer credit to prepare for a health sciences career.

Wake Early College of Information and Biotechnologies

Opening in fall 2022, this program is housed in the Lilly Science and Technology Center on Wake Tech’s RTP Campus. Students take a blend of high school and Wake Tech courses in four program areas: Network Management, Computer Programming, Cybersecurity and Biotechnology. They complete the requirements for high school graduation while earning college credits toward an Associate in Applied Science degree.

Vernon Malone College and Career Academy

This CTE high school provides a strong academic foundation along with 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.