High school graduation may be weeks away in Hillsborough County, but one group of teenagers have already walked across the graduation stage.

  • Academy partners with Leto, Lennard and Armwood high schools
  • Students are first graduating class of Collegiate Academy
  • Program offered at Hillsborough Community College

More than 100 high school students in Hillsborough County received their Associate of Arts degree Friday.

The students are the first graduating class of the Collegiate Academy at Hillsborough Community College.

"I haven't even gotten my diploma from high school yet, and I'm getting my associate's degree from a college," said HCC graduate and Armwood High student Dylan Spurlock.

"Eighteen-year-old kid," said father Tim Spurlock. "He's got his AA degree and moving on to bigger and better things, so I'm definitely a proud dad right now."

The Collegiate Academy allows students to get through their first year of college courses while taking on four years of high school.

"Feels really worth it," said HCC graduate and Leto High student Melissa Torres. "All that time studying. Everything is amazing."

The Academy partners with Leto, Lennard and Armwood high schools.