Most Beaufort County students won’t return to school for another month, but the Early College High School welcomed its newest class of students at a Tuesday morning orientation.

The students are gearing up for a new school year, and come Aug. 4, one might be able to spot them around Beaufort County Community College’s Building 10 with their trademark orange lanyards.

The Early College is another option for students entering high school that places students on a track to earn a high-school diploma as well as an associate’s degree in five years. Students must apply to the school and pass an interviewing process to be accepted.

Meredith Hernandez, a junior at the Early College, said she was first attracted to the school because of the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree for free. She said she also appreciates the freedom that the teachers give the students.

Hernandez said there is a lot of work involved, but as long as the students complete the work as they are supposed to, teachers will allow them some independence.

Miguel Cruz-Morales, an 18-year-old senior at the Early College, said he chose to attend the school because it allowed him to push farther academically and complete two years of college.

“It was a really great opportunity,” he said. “It’s kind of scary now that I have to leave.”

After completing high school, students are allowed to begin studies in a field of their choice, he said. Cruz-Morales is studying nutrition and plans to transfer to UNC-Greensboro.

Cruz-Morales thrived at the Early College, especially with the amount of freedom he enjoyed and the early experience of the life of a college student.

He said he was inspired to enter the field of nutrition after struggling with his own health and diet a few years ago, including a diagnosis of high blood pressure and being about 70 pounds overweight.

After losing the weight and learning how to maintain a healthy diet, Cruz-Morales decided he had found his calling.

“I want to encourage others to do the same,” he said.