Seventeen Groton seniors already hold college degrees weeks before receiving their high school diplomas, according to Tompkins Weekly. The students earned associate degrees from Tompkins Cortland Community College through Groton’s Early College High School program ahead of their June 26 graduation.
School officials said the students were among 138 graduates in the college’s early college program this year. The graduates completed enough coursework while attending high school to earn associate degrees in general studies before finishing their senior year.
Many of the students plan to continue their education in fields including nursing, engineering, animal science, education, biology and physics. Educators say the program helps students build college-level academic skills while reducing the time and cost required to earn future degrees.
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