3 Graduate Cerro Coso Before High School in Ridgecrest

These students earned either an Associate Degree or a Career Technical Education Certificate of Achievement while simultaneously graduating from high school this academic year. The students came from Acellus Academy, Burroughs, California City, Heartland, Immanuel Christian School, Mammoth, Tehachapi, and Virtual Academy, having taken dual or concurrent classes with Cerro Coso. They are now starting on their journeys to universities across the country to continue their higher education.

"We are immensely proud of their achievements and wish them the best in their future endeavors," said Kristin Hanle, Program Director for Early College.

The Early College Program creates a pipeline for service-area high school students to take real college classes, learning the expectations and routine necessary to be an independent, successful college student while earning both high school and college credits. Those graduating with an Associate Degree can enter the university system as juniors, cutting the cost of a college education.

"Cerro Coso Community College is very proud of the success of these students and the partnerships we have built with our high schools to ensure higher education is available and affordable to all," said College President Dr. Sean Hancock. 

Caption
1) Burroughs High School students (l-r) Addison Gerber and Sophia Pendergast graduate CC before high school.
2) Virtual Academy student Jordan Plata graduates CC before high school.