Local school and community college officials were on hand to greet students enrolled in Beaufort County Early College High School as they began the 2012-2013 school year on the campus of Beaufort County Community College. The school, now in its fifth year, welcomed 57 freshmen along with sophomores, juniors and some seniors to school, which began Thursday. The bulk of the senior class along with the school’s fifth-year students will report to school on Monday. BCECHS students take high school and tuition-free community college courses and graduate in five years with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree in the field of their choice. They can then either head into the work force with job-related skills or transfer to a four-year college. Almost 210 students are enrolled in the school. Pictured (right center), BCCC President Barbara Tansey, school Principal Todd Blumenreich and Beaufort County Schools Superintendent Don Phipps welcome students to the school. Students at the county’s other public schools will start the new school year on Monday, Aug. 27. (Contributed Photo/Beaufort County Community College)