WATERVILLE, Maine — We've all heard of high school classes transferring into college credits when students move on to their post-secondary education.
But have you ever heard of a student earning their college degree before their high school diploma?
It's happening right here in Maine.
The typical trajectory for college-bound students is to graduate from high school and then move on to an associate's or bachelor's degree.
A program through Waterville’s Thomas College and Readfield’s Maranacook Community High School called “Pathways” is giving high school students a leg up on the typical path.
"It was something that had to be earned," said Maranacook senior Hannah Woodford. "It wasn't necessarily something that was just kind of given. You spend your Friday nights doing essays or math or science or any of that."
Woodford is one of six students who will be walking across the stage Saturday to accept their liberal arts associate's degrees a month before receiving their high school diplomas.
According to Thomas College’s provost, Thomas Edwards, “Pathways is a focused collaboration for high-achieving students at Maranacook to create a path for them to complete their associate’s degree while still in high school.”
The students primarily take classes at the high school or online but it does offer them some opportunities to be on the college campus.
"It's really focused on providing access for students in Maine high schools and building their aspirations for college level work," said Edwards. "Let's try to reduce the cost of a college education so students don't have to go into debt in the first place."
Edwards goes on to explain that “dual enrollment courses are Thomas College approved courses offered in the high school environment at no cost to the students.”
"My dad, who didn't finish college, was very enthusiastic about me joining [the program,]" said Woodford, a first-generation college graduate.
Woodford said she is grateful for the free degree despite the fact that none of her credits are transferring to Washington's Georgetown University in the fall.
"I'm quite content with going and spending four years on the hill top," said Woodford.
She's taking the learning experience it gave her straight to her new college campus instead.
"I think it has definitely taught me a lot about time management and how to really be persistent," added Woodford.
Thomas College began offering the dual-enrollment program in 2009, making this its 10th year.
The six students will be receiving their degrees at Thomas College's commencement ceremony Saturday afternoon.