While most seniors eagerly await their high school graduation, a special group of 15 students recently celebrated two milestones in one day—becoming Peoria Public Schools’ and Illinois Central College’s first-ever graduating cohort to earn their high school diploma and associate degrees at the same time.
The diploma-degree program, often referred to as D2, launched between ICC and Peoria Public Schools in the fall of 2019. It offers high-performing high school juniors the opportunity to earn both their diploma and an associate in arts degree. The students attend classes together on the ICC Peoria campus and have full access to its academic support services. Their high school counselors continue to support them, and the students have the option to continue participating in their high school extracurricular activities. Church Women United-Illinois joined the initiative by donating the cost of two years’ worth of textbooks to ICC. Learn more at psd150.org/d2. PM
