Early King is the principal at YCCS West High School, which was recently acquired by Greater West Town Project (July 1, 2024). Early has a wealth of experience in education and has served as the principal at YCCS West since 2017.
YCCS West is a social justice-focused high school that encourages students to use their voices to empower and contribute to the well-being of their communities. Public speaking, advocacy, community service, and local engagement via partnerships with community service agencies and churches are all essential components of YCCS West programming.
Early first encountered GWTP when he was the Head of School at a startup program associated with Malcolm X College. He met Keisha Davis-Johnson, GWTP CEO, at Youth Connection Charter School (YCCS) district meetings and toured GWTP in 2017. He was “so impressed by the Shipping & Receiving and Woodworking (programs), the whole operation was impressive. Job placement, everything you all do.”
Early believes “the merger (between YCCS West and GWTP) elevates the school community and provides more nurturing environments.” GWTP and YCCS West are aligned, utilizing a competency-based education model tha builds on student skills and prepares them for higher education and careers. This approach offers a more personalized, practical, and engaging learning experience, designed to address the unique needs of students facing barriers to employment and education. Early also has plans for YCCS West to implement some of GWTP’s programming, such as career pathway programs, specifically GWTP’s Allied Health, which currently offers Home Maker training and will soon include Nursing Assistant training. In the near future, YCCS West is excited to expand its IT and robotics/coding program and audio/video production center and hopes to integrate these programs with GWTP’s West Town Academy.
“GWTP serves the whole community, and we want YCCS West to do that as well. Being a part of GWTP will enable us to do that better.” GWTP looks forward to the flourishing of this partnership to better serve the community!