North Early College High School graduates and Principal Angela Lundy-Jackson

Many members of the Class of 2013 earned more than their high school diplomas this year—nearly 200 of them also earned associate’s degrees from Houston Community College.

Challenge Early College, East Early College, Empowerment College Preparatory Academy, Houston Academy for International Studies, and North Houston Early College high schools all offer students the opportunity to take college courses along with high school courses. This year, a total of 179 students from all of those campuses combined left high school with a two-year college degree.

One graduate from North Houston Early College High School said two things were key to her success.

“You need to have hard work and dedication,” said Ravyn Sampson, who plans to pursue a career in nursing.

The students who earned associate degrees can now apply their credits toward a bachelor’s degree.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment and HCC Northeast is honored to play a role in making college degrees become a reality,” said Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher, president of HCC Northeast.

The program is provided free to students who attend participating high schools.