Early King is a native of Chicago’s south side. Mr. King started his career in 1994 as a Residential Counselor for the Department of Children and Family Services, where he worked with wards of the state. Early soon grew within his career and received the Governor’s award in 2001 for helping turn around two at-risk programs in Chicago.
In 2004, Mr. King moved onto a nationally-known residential program known as Mercy Home for Boys and Girls where he oversaw multiple programs that provided a continuum of residential and school services; one in which was geared toward providing services and supports to some of the most troubled and challenged youth in Chicago. In 2006, he was recognized by the President and Board of Regents of Mercy Home for stabilizing the high profile home (Bosco). During his time at Mercy Home, Early and his team were able to address every individual youth’s psycho-social and academic need in order to help them thrive and be re-integrated back into their home environment and mainstream society. In 2009, King joined K12 Inc. as Head of School for YCCS Virtual High School powered by K12. In this capacity, he has helped develop and implement some best practices for serving at-risk students in the fast growing blended education model. Early served three years successfully as the HOS at YCCS Virtual, where the graduation rates averaged 94% per year, and is currently serving as the Senior Director of at-risk schools across the nation. Early continues to work as a consultant to many alternative schools and residential facilities in Chicago, Ohio, Iowa and New York. |