Orangeburg County students graduate college before high school
ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WIS) - You probably wouldn’t imagine getting your college degree before getting your high school diploma, but that was the reality for 15 students from the Orangeburg County School District.
The school district’s Advanced College students received their associate degrees on Tuesday. The Advanced College program was introduced by their Superintendent, Shawn Foster, Ed.D, who was just named Superintendent of the Year for South Carolina.
Mixed among Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College (OC-Tech) graduates are the 15 high school students.
“I never thought I’d say that,” said graduate Mason McCormack. “And it’s kind of weird because this is my first graduation and everybody here seems like they already know what they’re doing.”
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“Graduating college before high school?! To be honest, I think that’s a flex,” said Alyx Foster.
Each student, from various schools in Orangeburg County School District, has been attending OC-Tech since they were high school freshman.
“Freshman year, for example, we were taking seven classes at one time,” said graduate Riley Glenn. “It was mom who was like ‘You’re gonna do this. You’re gonna do good at it. Let’s go ahead and get it done.’”
“I saw the benefits of her being able to not only walk across the stage with an associate degree, but eliminate some of the college debt,” said Riley’s mother, Allison Glenn.
The program has been said to be a push to pull out potential early.
Superintendent Foster also said making college more affordable was one of the leading principles for introducing the program to the district.
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“A student who graduates from the Advanced College can now enter college virtually as a junior, which has now saved parents a significant amount of money towards their post-secondary opportunity,” said Shawn Foster.
As the tassels turn. Students and parents have a message for anyone considering a head start.
“I can’t put into words,” said Allison Glenn. “She has set the pace for her siblings behind her.”
“It’s definitely given me confidence and will definitely give a step up above other people,” said graduate Emily Crider.
“It gives you a jumpstart for whenever you go to that four-year university,” said Alyx Foster. “Or if you don’t decide to go. I feel like it still puts your foot in the door to the real life.”
The school district said they expect to have between 25-40 students enroll in the Advanced College program next year.
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