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More than 200 eighth graders applied this spring to attend Stanly Early College and Stanly STEM Early College in the upcoming academic year.

Statistically speaking, 30 percent of all eighth graders in Stanly County applied to attend either SEC or SSEC.

To begin the process, students/parents completed an online application. Historical data was then requested from middle schools.

Next, students were brought in for interviews and evaluated using selection rubric criteria while parents toured the school.

Teachers and staff looked for specific traits such as determination to work hard, attendance, maturity, time management and a history of good behavior.

In the end, only 55 percent of applicants were selected to attend either school due to the large number of applications received.

As noted in the past few years, the popularity of SEC and now SSEC continues to rise based on the increasing volume of applications received each year.

Abby Furr is a student at Stanly Early College.