This is the time of the year when we receive a lot of information about area graduates, including their accomplishments and plans for pursing a higher education or the workforce after finishing high school.

Every year there is a small group of particularly impressive students who managed to do what was nearly impossible years ago — obtain a college degree prior to graduating from high school.

Thanks to progressive thinking from leaders at local colleges and public schools, high school students have the ability to take advantage of programs that allow them to take college-level classes for free while still in high school.

This year, at least four students from the schools of Buchanan and Niles earned associate’s degrees from Lake Michigan College through the Early College Academy program. They are: Buchanan’s Lucas Bonek, Jordan Enders and Josiah Smith, and Niles’ Kelsey Barton.

While these four went above and beyond to earn a college degree, many others also took college courses while in high school — just not enough to earn a degree.

Both are great options.

Taking college classes early can help high school students get a step up on their peers and lighten their course load once they enter college. It also saves money. Last month, a local student told the LMC Board of Trustees that she saved approximately $40,000 thanks to her involvement in LMC’s early college program.

Students also gain the confidence that they can complete college level courses.

While successfully finishing early college programs is not easy, we believe all students capable of handling the extra workload should consider taking advantage of these programs.

With the cost of college rising each year and more and more people amassing large amounts of student loan debt, it makes sense to eliminate as much of that cost as possible.

We congratulate the students who have already gotten a head start on a higher education and hope more will do so in the future.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.