Harnett County Early College

Harnett County Early College at the Dunn Center

  • Behaven Campus
    • 2815 Olivia Road
    • Sanford, NC 27332
    • (919) 499-1371

  • Dunn Campus
    • 910 W. Harnett St.
    • Dunn, NC 28334
    • (910) 814-1370

Principal: Dr. Jasmine Nixon
Liaison/Advisor: Nick Testa

In May 2024, HCEC graduated 18 students. All 18 will complete their associate degree! HCEC continues to have nearly 100% of its students completing their two-year degree by the time they graduate. Harnett County Early College is entering its 9th year and will have 207 students to begin the 2024 – 2025 school year.

What is Early College?

Early colleges are public high schools where students have five years to earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree, free of charge. The Early College serves a large number of first generation students. Students apply as 8th graders and enter the early college as freshmen. Many early college students are pursuing associate degrees to allow them to transfer to other colleges and universities while others are completing career and technical programs in their areas of interest. Our early colleges empower students to meet their academic and career goals.

Career & College Promise (CCP) vs. Early College

CCP is for students that are in traditional high schools. They take a variety of college courses and pathways during their junior and senior year. The goal is to earn some college credit or job training that pertains to their academic/career goals after high school. Early colleges are their own public institutions. Students begin taking classes their freshman year with the goal of earning both their high school diploma and an associate degree.

Driving Directions

From the Sanford/Lillington area area:

Take U.S. 421 east to downtown Lillington, the intersection of Front Street and Main Street in downtown Lillington. (There are a number of highway signs at this intersection.) Turn left at the stoplight and follow U.S. 421 north across the Cape Fear River to the junction of U.S. 421E/U.S. 401/N.C. 210/N.C. 27. At that stoplight (cemetery on right), turn right. Go approximately 14 miles to Dunn. Turn left onto South Clinton Avenue/U.S. 301 North. Go approximately 1/2 mile and turn right onto East Johnson Street. The campus will be on the right side.

From the Raleigh area:

Take U.S. 401 South to Lillington. At the junction of U.S. 401S/U.S. 421E/N.C. 210/N.C. 27 (stoplights with car dealership, cemetery, fast foods, and store), continue straight through the junction on U.S. 421 East. Go approximately 14 miles to Dunn. Turn left onto South Clinton Avenue/U.S. 301 North. Go approximately 1/2 mile and turn right onto East Johnson Street. The campus will be on the right side.

From the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg area:

Take U.S. 401 or N.C. 210 north to Lillington. Continue through Lillington, across the Cape Fear River to the junction of U.S. 421E/U.S. 401/N.C. 210/N.C. 27. At that stoplight (cemetery on right), turn right. Go approximately 14 miles to Dunn. Turn left onto South Clinton Avenue/U.S. 301 North. Go approximately 1/2 mile and turn right onto East Johnson Street. The campus will be on the right side.

Or, take Interstate 95 from Fayetteville to Dunn (Exit 73). Take left onto East Cumberland Street into Dunn. Turn right onto South Clinton Avenue/U.S. 301 North. Go approximately 1/2 mile and turn right onto East Johnson Street. The campus will be on the right side.

From the Benson/Smithfield area:

Take Interstate 95 from Benson/Smithfield to Dunn (Exit 73). Take right onto East Cumberland Street into Dunn. Turn right onto South Clinton Avenue/U.S. 301 North. Go approximately 1/2 mile and turn right onto East Johnson Street. The campus will be on the right side.

From the Clinton area:

Take U.S. 421 from Clinton to Dunn. Turn right onto South Clinton Avenue/U.S. 301 North. Go approximately 1/2 mile and turn right onto East Johnson Street. The campus will be on the right side.