Randolph Community College

Randolph Community College, a member institution of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, comprehensive community college established to serve the citizens of Randolph County.

Randolph Community College began operation in 1962 as Randolph Industrial Education Center, a joint city-county industrial education center. The college became a member of the N.C. Community College System in 1963 when the North Carolina legislature established a separate system of community colleges.

Situated near the geographic center of North Carolina in Asheboro, Randolph Community College is located at the McDowell Road Exit off U.S. 220 (future I-73/74) just south of the U.S. 64/N.C. 49 interchange. The college is only 26 miles (42 km) south of two interstate highways in Greensboro, making it accessible from all parts of the state. The college draws from a population base of just over 23,000 in Asheboro and 137,000 countywide.

RCC’s 35-acre (140,000 m2) main campus in Asheboro contains nine major buildings and the new Richard Petty Education Center for its Automotive Systems and Autobody programs was completed in 2009. Two large satellite centers include the Archdale Center, serving residents in the fast-growing northwest corner of Randolph County, and a 60-acre (240,000 m2) Emergency Services Training Center located just outside Asheboro.

Randolph Community College currently offers over 25 vocational and technical degrees, including a college transfer program and a comprehensive continuing education program. RCC is fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Annual enrollment for curriculum students is 3,215; annual enrollment for continuing education students is 8,464.

Also, Randolph Community College has a partnership with Randolph County Schools in which the Randolph Early College High School was created. Founded in 2005, Randolph Early College High School (RECHS) is an autonomous, nontraditional public high school involved in the North Carolina Innovative High Schools Program. RECHS is located on the campus of Randolph Community College (RCC). Students are selected to attend RECHS based on an application process and typically enter at the beginning of their high school career. RECHS seeks to target economically disadvantaged, minority and first generation college-bound students. We have a diverse student body from all over Randolph County. RECHS students take Honors level high school coursework, while also enrolled in integrated community college courses taught by community college instructors beginning their first year. Our students average taking 2-3 community college classes each semester throughout their high school career, with the opportunity to earn an Associate Degree in 4 or 5 years. All RECHS students follow the College/University Prep Course of Study. Our students must complete all the requirements of a traditional high school in North Carolina and receive dual credit for community college courses, which contribute credits toward their high school diploma. In addition, student involvement in community service is required. Due to the small size of our school, extracurricular activities are limited and vary year to year based on student interests and needs. To enhance the educational experience at RECHS, students engage in a variety of activities beyond the classroom, such as field trips to colleges, cultural events and educational presentations provided by guest speakers from the community.Presently our 9th and 10th grade students take traditional semester-long courses; however, high school courses for our year 11 and 12 students are offered on both a traditional semester-long schedule, as well as a year-long alternating schedule which more closely resembles a college course schedule.

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