64 out of 308 seniors at West Brunswick decided to leave the classroom early and begin their journey into adulthood this year with early graduation. 

What it means: Early graduation is an option for students who wish to get a head start on their careers, secondary education, or military training. Early graduation occurs after the first semester in December. Students are given the option to either walk in a January graduation ceremony or with the rest of their class in the June graduation ceremony.

How to do it: When planning for the following year’s schedule, guidance counselors will lay out the options for their upcoming seniors. If a student wishes to graduate early, their guidance counselor will work with them to make sure they have all of their credits and required classes. 

Opinions from early graduates: 

“It’s really nice that I don’t have to be here another semester,” said Ryli Robinson. “ I’m glad they were able to help me finish all of my classes.”

“I had all of my credits done, so I thought, ‘might as well get out of here,’” said Kaylee Knisely. “I recommend it if you’re able to.” 

From a guidance counselor: Megan Hardy is the guidance counselor at West who works with early graduates. Here is her advice: 

• “It concerns me sometimes to see people rush into having to do grown-up things. You have your whole entire life to work. Have fun while you can.” 
• “I think for some people who want to try to rush into moving out on their own and supporting themselves, I think that this can be something that is very hard, so if you don’t have to rush into it then I don’t recommend it.”
• “I recommend that students who want to start college classes in the spring semester after graduation don’t graduate early and just do the dual enrollment through BCC.”

Another option: An option similar to early graduation that may work better for some students is to remain enrolled in the school and take advantage of the College and Career Promise program. The CCP program is a bridge program that allows students enrolled in Brunswick County Schools to attend Brunswick Community College with all costs covered. Staying enrolled in high school allows students to take advantage of free community college even if they have no classes on campus and are fully enrolled in BCC.

“I want them to think of all of the opportunities and all of their choices so that they can make the best decision for them and I’ll support that however it may be,” said Hardee.