Rowan Early College is a joint effort between Salisbury-Rowan Schools and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College located on RCCC's North Campus in Salisbury. It has been in operation for one year. In early August 2009, the second group of ninth graders will enter along with the rising sophomore class. Early College students will spend a total of four years in the Early College before graduating with a high school diploma and a two-year associate degree or up to two years of transferrable credit.

Rowan Early College is an intensive academic program that offers a choice of an Associate in Arts and Science or Association of Science degree with a focus on providing powerful teaching and unique learning opportunities.

Instead of attending a regular high school, students take all high school and college courses on RCCC's North Campus in Salisbury.

Cindy Misenheimer is the principal of the new Rowan County Early College. Misenheimer is a North Carolina native and has extensive experience as a public school teacher and administrator.