30 Early College students set to receive 2nd diploma

For 30 students graduating Tuesday from Toledo Early College High School, accepting a high school diploma is somewhat of a deja vu experience.

For them, that diploma comes several weeks after they received associate degrees from the University of Toledo.

The early-college school located in the former UT Driscoll Center offers a college-preparatory program that focuses on the liberal arts.

Students take up to two years of English, up to four years of mathematics and science, two years of social studies, and two years of a foreign language at the high school level.

All other courses, including electives, are taken at the University of Toledo.

Romules Durant, Toledo Public Schools superintendent, gave the commencement address at the May 4 UT graduation.

“I am so proud of these students, and it was a blessing to give the commencement speech,” Mr. Durant said. “It was a great feeling. There were 44 students who got their associate degrees. TPS students made up 30 of them.”

Mr. Durant said it was also an educational and financial windfall for the students to get the degree for free.

“It is remarkable that they can move forward with no debt,” he said. “They can also get scholarships because they graduated from high school as well. In the last five years, at least half of the students in Early College got the associate degree. The other half did not because their degrees do not have associate degrees, but they have attained 40 college credits.”

University of Toledo President Gregory Postel said the program has been a great success over the years.

“It really is a wonderful program,” Dr. Postel said. “The university gets highly motivated students who work hard to get college credits.”

Dr. Postel said the program averages around 50 students per year. Students can begin the Early College program as seventh graders and start taking UT courses as high-school freshmen, collecting college credits as they go. The students take general education courses.

Those who earn 60 college credits then receive associate’s degrees in general studies through University College, Dr. Postel explained.

“For some, earning the associate’s degree is their goal. They graduate with the degree and go out into the workforce,” he said. “For others, they go to a university having the general education credits done and begin working for whatever degree they want. They can matriculate into any program they want.”

Nikolai Kotchetov plans on continuing as a UT business major. The Early College program was hard at first, he said.

“It was a really difficult program in the beginning,” Nikolai said. “It was 1,000 percent worth it, though. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity. It is so cool that it is offered in Toledo.”

Bryse Vargas, who will double major in psychology and criminal justice at UT this fall, has been in the program since seventh grade.

“I think the school has prepared me for college and made me a better student,” Bryse said. “I hold myself up to higher standards now. I have met a lot of great people here. I would say that if you are looking to go to college, then this high school is for you.”

Angelo Flores will double major in business sales and information technology at UT.

“This program helped shape me into who I am now,” Angelo said. “The program changes you and makes you college-ready. I was able to maximize the opportunities I was given. It helped me get a step ahead. It is also cool to have been around 20-year-old adults at 15.”

Nadia Foulkes, who is headed to Owens Community College to become a pediatric dental hygienist, said the program was difficult, but she loved it.

“I am so much stronger as a person and as a student,” Nadia said. “When you get opportunities in life you take it. As a Black student I can tell you that not many people in our community believe we can go to college and achieve goals. I proved them wrong. I was able to graduate from college before high school.”

Maraya Houtekamer is headed to the University of Cincinnati to study media communications. She said she feels proud to have finished the program.

“This was such a great opportunity,” Maraya said. “It was definitely a lot of hard work. Like, really hard work, but it was worth it.”

Shania Allen is headed to Bowling Green State University to study insurance and risk management. She also said the program shaped her.

“I would not be the person I am today if not for this program,” Shania said. “Look, half of my college degree is done and it was paid for. It also helps develop a good work ethic. I do recommend this program to anyone who is thinking about going to college.”

Dr. Postel said approximately half of the students go on to get their bachelor’s degrees from UT.

“It really is a win for everyone,” Dr. Postel said. “We get great students who are highly motivated, and they have good GPAs. Dr. Durant is trying to build magnet schools that are workforce oriented. There is a large focus on workforce development in our schools in this state. The general assembly even has a committee called Workforce and Higher Education. The two go hand in hand.”

Mr. Durant said the program was almost scrubbed 11 years ago when he came to TPS.

“The program was almost cut because of enrollment being down,” he said. “I added seventh and eighth grades to it, and we got the message out that getting a degree was attainable. We have increased enrollment, built on our successes, and kids are achieving and getting a degree. The program is now doing what it was set up to do.”