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Benefits

What are the benefits of Early College?

You get a head start on earning college-level credits. (Some of these credits also count toward your high school diploma.) You can even earn an Associate's degree or professional certificate while still in high school!​

​NO COST to you: Tuition is WAIVED! ​

​Taking college classes while in high school will reduce the number of credits you need for your degree when you become a full-time college student. That means you can graduate, take fewer units each semester or transfer earlier! ​

​You're likely to be better prepared for your first year of full-time college, finding it easier to adjust to the higher demands of college-level courses. You know what to expect! ​

You can get core college courses like introductory English and Math classes out of the way in high school, making more room on your full-time college schedule for classes specific to your Area of Study. ​

If you're a high school student in your junior or senior year who hasn't yet decided what you want to major in at college, or what college you want to go to, early college can help you explore your options and receive valuable guidance from college advisors.

Taking college classes typically gives you access to the many useful resources the college has to offer. Resources, including the college's library, computer labs, and study rooms, providing an alternate stimulating environment for you to do your schoolwork. ​

​As a early college student, you can take advantage of the special interest/social activities on the college's campus as well as live events such as plays and concerts. ​

 

Learn More About Santiago Canyon College

Empowering Students Through Early College

Student Success Stories

Earning a College Degree and High School Diploma at the Same Time

Dagny Parayao

Why wait? That was the thinking of Dagny Parayao, who took part in a early college program that allowed her to simultaneously earn her associate degree in computer science from Santiago Canyon College while graduating with a high school diploma at El Modena High School in Orange.

“A lot of people really don't know about the opportunities that are out there, about being able to earn a college degree while you're in high school, but it's a great way to save money while getting valuable experience and a first-class education," Parayao said. “It just makes sense."

Early College offers high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses to earn high school and college credit at the same time. Students can take courses without leaving their high school campus, at the Santiago Canyon College campus, or online. The program allows students to get a head start on exploring careers and interests and strengthen high school transcripts and academic performance, all while getting a tuition-free college education.

Parayao, who graduated as high school class as salutatorian, is transferring to UCLA in the fall, where she will work toward earning a bachelor's degree in computer science. Her longer-range plans call for a possible career in software development or artificial intelligence.

“It's a great field, it's a growing field, and I really like the creative aspects and the problem-solving aspects that it involves," Parayao said. “I really enjoy being able to create and I feel like computer science allows me to create."

Santiago Canyon College Professor Amir Khan, who had Parayao in his computer program course, illustrates the opportunities available at his campus. ​

“Dagny was a valuable participant in course discussions and activities," said Khan. “Assignments were on time and demonstrated quality effort. My course has a group project for the final in which the group can pick to develop a simple childcare system or hospital EMR using the course topics and objectives. Dagny responded greatly amongst peers and lead various efforts within her team project."

Parayao completed 15 college courses in all, including four as a freshman: Computer Programming 100, Anthropology 101, Psychology 100, and Communication 100. She followed that up with five college classes as a high school sophomore, including Computer Programming 112 and Computer Information Systems 198. She added two more computer science courses as a junior, Computer Programming 120, and Computer Programming 121, before wrapping up with three college courses – Theatre 100, Philosophy 110, and Physics 250 – as a high school senior.

Classes at Santiago Canyon College – just a 5-minute drive or 15-minute walk from Parayao's home – were taught at night or online.

​“You get what you put into it. If you put in the time, if you take advantage of the office hours, if you utilize the resources that are there, it can be very rewarding," said Parayao, whose older brother also benefitted from the early college option. “All the teachers were helpful. I can't think of one bad experience."

Dual Enrollment

(714) 628-4764
earlycollege@sccollege.edu