The VEC program’s focus has always been on students in their senior year but yes, we have accepted a few incoming juniors each year. We do not recruit outside of the 11th grade and consideration of any 10th grade applicant is always based on spots available after current junior applicants have been considered.

If you are a current 10th graders and are thinking about applying, please be aware of the following considerations:

You should be able to demonstrate the ability to take rigorous coursework and have an exemplary cumulative unweighted high school GPA.
You need to be ahead in math for a 10th grade student, which means currently in or having completed Algebra 2 at your high school. Note: Taking classes at an online school to get ahead, instead of taking the class on your campus, is not something we consider advantageous for a VEC candidate.
Your attendance and behavior at your HS indicates you are prepare for a mature environment.
You must take Pima’s placement tests (in Reading, Writing and Math) prior to submitting your application to determine eligibility in WRT 101 and MAT 151/187 or higher, since you will have not completed 6 semesters of high school coursework and do not qualify for Pima’s Multiple Measures for placement.

So, yes, it is possible but there are extra steps and considerations that are taken to determine if a student is ready to leave high school two years early, instead of one.

Vail Early College