Q:  How do Isaac Bear Early College students complete high school requirements AND take UNCW courses?

A:  In their first two years (9th and 10th grade), Isaac Bear students complete all the core academic requirements for a high school diploma, but do not actually complete ALL high school requirements nor earn a diploma until they have been enrolled for all four years of high school and met all North Carolina high school graduation requirements.  During their junior year, students begin taking UNCW courses based on their “readiness” to be successful in these courses, as agreed upon by representatives of both UNCW and Isaac Bear.  Student readiness will determine how many UNCW courses are taken each semester by each Isaac Bear student.  It is possible that an Isaac Bear student could earn up to 60 hours of college credit by the time he or she graduates from high school, but most will not earn that many credit hours.

Q:  When IBEC students begin taking UNCW courses, will there be different expectations for them than for the traditional UNCW students in these courses?

A:  No.  IBEC students will be integrated into the UNCW classrooms, and the expectations placed on them will be the same as those for any students taking the course. However, IBEC students will receive additional supports such as tutoring from IBEC faculty.

Q:  Whose academic calendar will IBEC students follow?

A:  They will follow UNCW’s calendar for any UNCW courses they are taking.

Q:  What UNCW courses will IBEC students take?

A: Lower-division Basic Studies courses and other courses agreed upon as appropriate by representatives of UNCW and Isaac Bear.