Cerro Coso Celebrates Record Success in Early College Program – 120 earned college degrees while completing high school

Cerro Coso Community College is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of 120 exceptional students who earned an Associate Degree or Career Technical Education (CTE) Certificate while simultaneously completing their high school education during the 2025–2026 academic year.

These remarkable students represent a diverse group of partner schools throughout Cerro Coso’s service area, including Mammoth High School, Burroughs High School, Tehachapi High School, California City High School, Cesar Chavez High School, Delano High School, Robert F. Kennedy High School, Mojave High School, Trona High School, Immanuel Christian High School, and Valley Oaks Charter School.

Through dual and concurrent enrollment opportunities, these students successfully balanced the demands of high school and college coursework, demonstrating extraordinary dedication, perseverance, and academic achievement. By completing college credentials before graduating from high school, they have accelerated their educational journeys and positioned themselves for future academic and career success.

“Every year, our Early College students continue to raise the bar, and this year’s group is truly outstanding,” said Kristin Hanle, Program Director of Early College. “These students have shown incredible determination and maturity as they navigated both high school and college coursework. Earning a degree or certificate before receiving a high school diploma is a tremendous accomplishment that reflects not only their hard work, but also the support of their families, teachers, counselors, and school partners. We are incredibly proud of all they have achieved.”

The Early College program allows high school students to earn college credit while completing their secondary education, providing a head start on their academic and career goals while reducing the time and cost required to complete a college credential.

Cerro Coso Community College extends its congratulations to each of these outstanding students and thanks its K-12 partners for their continued collaboration in creating pathways to success.

For more information about Early College opportunities at Cerro Coso Community College, visit the Cerro Coso website or email earlycollege@cerrocoso.edu.

Photo: Early College graduates at the 2026 commencement ceremony in Ridgecrest, CA, on May 15, 2026.