MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. — On Friday, May 3, friends, family, and administrators celebrated five Florence High School students, Hunter Dison, Brylinn Franks, Dena Guzman, Noah Lett, and Kyla Robinson, for their participation in the Early College Program. The program is a collaboration between Florence City Schools and Northwest Shoals Community College that allows high school students to take college courses alongside their high school coursework, eventually earning an associate degree and a high school diploma concurrently.

Florence City Schools Superintendent Dr. Jimmy Shaw said the program was born out of the idea that focused and driven high school students should have the opportunity to pursue dual enrollment, an associate degree, or a professional certificate, which aligns with the school district's vision.

"Our vision, 'Tomorrow…Today,' was really built on that," Shaw said. "Why can't we allow students to step into their futures of tomorrow while we have them today in the school system?"

Shaw added that the program began six years ago after a review of a similar program at a Texas school system. Dison, Franks, Guzman, Lett, and Robinson make up the 2024 class of Early College Program graduates. They are the third class of participants to advance through.

The five students will graduate from Northwest Shoals Community College on Thursday, May 9, followed by their Florence High School graduation at Braly Stadium on Friday, May 24.