Twenty Miami Students Earned Associate Degrees Early
Twenty SLAM North seniors completed 60 college credits, saving thousands on future university tuition costs.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Secondary Education
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In 2026, twenty students at Miami's SLAM North high school earned associate degrees from Doral College before graduating high school. These students successfully completed a total of 1,200 college credits through an intensive dual-enrollment program.
Why it matters
The program aims to provide tuition-free public charter school access to students in communities that have historically faced fewer educational opportunities. By earning these credits early, the cohort achieved estimated collective tuition savings of $312,000.
The 20 students each completed 60 credits at an estimated cost of $260 per credit. This effort resulted in a combined tuition savings of $312,000 for the graduating cohort.
The players
Armando Christian Pérez
The musician and entrepreneur who founded the first SLAM school in 2012.
Doral College
The higher education institution providing the dual-enrollment credits for the degree program.
SLAM North
A public charter school in Miami that serves high school students within the broader SLAM network.
Cognia
The school accreditation organization that recognized the SLAM network as a System of Distinction.
The details
Students achieved these degrees by participating in an ambitious dual-enrollment program managed through Doral College. The schools integrate a standard academic curriculum with comprehensive college and career preparation to facilitate this early credentialing. This model is currently utilized across the network's 14 schools to accelerate pathways to higher education for public charter students.
Timeline
2012: The first SLAM school opened in Miami.
2022: SLAM was named a Cognia System of Distinction.
The Home Front
This achievement reflects a broader trend of public charter networks prioritizing early college access to reduce long-term educational debt for families. It builds upon the high standards set when the network was named a Cognia System of Distinction in 2022.
If you have a student in high school, look into whether your local district offers similar dual-enrollment partnerships that could translate to tuition savings. Review your school's curriculum guide each semester to identify upcoming opportunities for college credit.
The takeaway
Early college programs can significantly lower the financial burden of higher education for your family. Consult your local school counselor to determine if your student can maximize their schedule with transferable dual-enrollment credits.
Further reading
For more on local academic programs, explore the latest Secondary Education updates.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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Should local high schools prioritize dual-enrollment programs to help students earn college credits?
