Students can experience college life early in two ways:

SPC early college: A student at OHS is getting a chance to experience the full time college life at SPC with early college. Early College is a full time college program at SPC for high school students, and this gives high school students a chance to graduate with an AA degree and a high school diploma in two years. Early college lets students become a full time college student. Nathan Johnson, 11^th grade, goes to SPC for early college.

“I like SPC a lot and my parents are very proud of me and are happy that they don’t have to pay for two years of schooling. They treat everyone like an adult at SPC, I get to take the classes I want, and I have fewer classes.” Nathan thinks SPC is better than high school for academic purposes, also because it gives him an opportunity to experience classes in a college scenario, and there is no dress code.

“SPC is definitely harder than high school though, don’t get me wrong; there’s more work, they expect more out of me, and there’s a lot more responsibility to obtain. But I’m happy with my decision to go to SPC because I know its benefitting me.” Although Nathan loves SPC, he does miss high school because most of his friends don’t go to SPC, but he doesn’t miss the immaturity and drama that goes along with high school.

“I am in college but I’m still not fully sure what I want to do. I’m hoping to become a Marine for a few years though.” If Nathan knew more about SPC before he signed up Nathan said he would’ve done early college regardless because its free schooling and not many people have that option.

“Something I would tell someone looking into early college is to go for it, it’s a great experience, it saves students’ money, and SPC is a more mature environment.”

SPC dual enrollment: Another student at OHS is also getting a chance to experience the benefits of being a part time college student at SPC with dual enrollment. Dual enrollment is a program at SPC where students get to go to high school and college at the same time, this program is also free schooling. Nylah Koenig, 12th grade, is in the dual enrollment program.

“SPC is so different from high school and the professors don’t tolerate much.” Nylah plans to be a nurse in a few years. Nylah is in high school half of the time but she doesn’t like being here for even five periods. Nylah’s dad is very proud of her.

“I’m happy with my decision to go to SPC, to me SPC isn’t harder than high school because I don’t have to take as many classes. If I knew how SPC was going to be before I signed up I still would’ve done dual enrollment because it’s better than high school.” Nylah also likes that it’s saving her money; she thinks its benefitting her a lot.

“Something I would tell someone thinking about doing dual enrollment is do it because it’s only for a little while and you don’t want to be struggling for money to pay for schooling and other personal expenses.” Nylah likes SPC more than high school because there’s more maturity, better hours, and she has a lot of time in between classes.