$800,000. That’s how much 16 Irving ISD seniors are collectively saving by earning associate’s degrees through the district’s Early College Start program. The students – 15 from Singley Academy and one from Irving High School – are as follows:

Associate of Arts

  • Ashley Barcenas (Singley)
  • Skylar Casey  (Singley)
  • Cristian Lopez Cruz (Singley)
  • Ivbadenaje Osuma  (Singley)
  • Roberto Perez Lopez  (Singley)
  • John Posada (Singley)
  • Breanna Pricer (Singley)
  • Dylan Reding  (Singley)
  • Anahi Valerino (Singley)
  • Nathaly Ventura (Singley)
  • John Whitgrove (Singley)

Associate of Science

  • Kaprianna Lopez (Singley)
  • Madeline Ojeda (Singley)
  • Yasmeen Shaw (Singley)
  • Jonnalys Soto (Irving)
  • Kimberly Vertiz Ramos (Singley)

The program is in partnership with North Lake College. Dual-credit classes are taught at the collegiate level, are tuition-free for Irving ISD students and enable students to receive high school and college credit simultaneously. 

According to College for all Texans, the average annual tuition of a public four-year college and university is $25,000 per year.  With the degrees, students have two years of college under their belts and $50,000 saved. 

In addition to the financial savings, the dual-credit program also gives students a head start. 

And the best news of all – even more students will be afforded this opportunity as the district will launch Singley Collegiate Academy this August!