CCSD student graduates high school early as junior

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — As the school year wraps up, some students will graduate high school as juniors.

A national survey shows about 75% of high school graduates are not ready to make college decisions. There are options available for parents and students who choose a different path.

It’s a bittersweet moment for some high school seniors. Not only are they graduating from school but they are about to face the world. Zoey Dyer, 17, is getting a head start as she is graduating as a junior from Sierra Vista High School.

“There’s a lot of pros you definitely feel kind of special graduating early,” Dyer said. A year early to start life and take advantage of what we all need, which is time.

“When you’re a senior you feel like you are running out of time, you’re in a rush to grow up,” she said.

Dyer is not wasting one moment. She was accepted to UNLV and plans to enlist in the National Guard.

Experts told 8 News Now one of the reasons why students want to accelerate their education like Dyer is because of early exposure to college programs.

“I had to plan out the classes that I needed to graduate so that was more effort I took a lot of summer classes,” Dyer said.

Efforts vary for each student who wants to graduate early. It’s something high school seniors like Kieanna Paigescherrer and Antron Johnson Jr. thought about.

“I felt like I wasn’t being challenged,” Johnson said.

“Eventually it was my family who convinced me ‘you know just stay’ see what it has in store for you,” Paigescherrer said.

Johnson said when he was a sophomore he heard about the program. Both will be graduating high school with an associate’s degree.

It’s all thanks to the College of Southern Nevada High School’s Dual Credit program.

Dr. Andrea Connolly, the school’s principal, said the program is only for incoming CCSD 11th and 12th graders who want to stay the full four years and graduate with college credit.

“I think it would be a good alternative compromise for a student who wanted to graduate at the end of their junior year,” Connolly said.

It also takes family support and guidance.

8 News Now asked Connolly if students who choose to graduate early won’t be as motivated as other students who did complete the four years of high school.

“They might be just as motivated, but I don’t think a lot of high school students understand how much self-motivation and self-reliance and responsibility falls on a college student,” she said.

Students like Dyer who are ready to walk the stage say just do what feels right.

“Make sure you communicate with your counselor and assistant principals because they will help you and don’t be afraid,” Dyer said.

Dyer said she was able to attend prom and didn’t miss out on much, it just wasn’t with her original graduating class.

We reached out to CCSD on how many juniors will graduate early this year. The school district said it does not track the data.

There are 45 career and technical education programs offered in high schools in Nevada. More than 4,200 students were enrolled in the program for the fall of 2023.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.