AHOSKIE – Celebrating education through learning about Hertford County’s Early College High School education program was an appropriate way to begin a new year for the Ahoskie Woman’s Club.

Bryan Ruffin, who serves as principal of Hertford County Early College High School, was the informative speaker at the club’s meeting that kicked off its 2016-17 year.  This subject was new to most members.

The school is located on the Roanoke Chowan Community College campus.  Each enrolled student must enter at the 9th grade level and can complete high school in four years or can complete an Associate Degree in five years. Since students take high school and college courses simultaneously, they are able to enter a senior college or university as a transferring junior.

Hertford County Early College is one of three public high schools in Hertford County.  The student body make up is 32% male and 68% female with a total enrollment of 119.  This means there is a 20:1 student/teacher ratio.

Already the school has received some very special honors.   In 2016 the program received national ranking from “US News” as a “best high school” of its kind.  Ranking is based on the student’s performance on state required tests and how well the school prepares students for college.

Also it is notable that “Newsweek” magazine in 2015 and 2016 also recognized the school for “beating the odds”, placing the school in the nation’s top 500 high schools for low income students.  It was actually ranked number “90”.

The Education program committee sponsored the program and included the following members: Beckisue Joyner, Pat Byrd, Betsy McSwain, Sylvia Purvis and Elaine Myers.

The Ahoskie Woman’s Club meets the third Wednesday of each month between September and May.