About Us

Wake STEM Early College High School is a small public school of choice, a joint project between the Wake County Public School System and NC State University. STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, is the theme of our school’s program, in addition to our identity as an early college.  Early college means students take college courses at NC State as well as the courses required to earn a high school diploma.  Exploration of the Grand Challenges for Engineering is a common instructional focus that extends through various courses in our program. Because engineering involves so many areas of math and science, it is a great scaffold on which to build a STEM education.

Mission Statement

Wake County Public School System will provide a relevant and engaging education and will graduate students who are collaborative, creative, effective communicators, and critical thinkers.

Vision Statement

Wake STEM Early College High School will provide a highly supportive and academically challenging learning environment for students underserved in a traditional high school setting and underrepresented in the STEM disciplines, including first-generation college-going students, who will graduate prepared to compete globally in careers related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Core Values and Beliefs

We at Wake STEM ECHS value:

The ability to build positive relationships amongst students and staff in an inclusive, collaborative, safe, and stimulating environment.

STEM education to prepare globally competitive students in fields that will require interdisciplinary teams who collaborate, think critically, and search for solutions to 21st-century problems.

Project-based learning to promote rigor and to challenge students to become innovative thinkers and problem-solvers through real-world application.

The 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering to represent the most critical problems to be solved in the 21st Century.

Building strong relationships through community engagement and partnerships to support students’ learning.