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April 23, 2026: Early College Credit Gives High School Students a Boost
Did you know... the Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) provides early college credit opportunities for high school students?
Utilizing a range of early college credit models that address the diverse needs of students, 4CD provides unique opportunities at all three colleges to help youth get ahead.
Through the early college credit programs, high school students can take college classes tuition-free!
Whether through a College and Career Access Pathways partnership with their high school (dual enrollment) or enrolling in classes on a college campus (concurrent enrollment), students get a head start on their college journey while earning college credits and fulfilling graduation requirements.
"Students gain so much from dual enrollment classes," said Corey Spainhower, CHEM-006 faculty at Liberty High School and the 2025 Contra Costa County Office of Education Teacher of the Year. "Not only are they challenged academically, but they also get to learn how to navigate the college enrollment process with support from the college counselors and a teacher they know. So many high school students can see themselves as successful college students after taking a dual enrollment class and earning college credit."
Concurrent Enrollment lets students take college classes on their own time – after school, online, Saturdays, or during breaks – while still enrolled in high school. Concurrent enrollment students navigate college processes with the same level of support as typical college students. They generally travel to the college campus to receive instruction, where they are fully integrated into the college environment.
"I've had an amazing experience in my high school and college classes, and I've had a great time with other college resources," said high school senior Lilli John-MonDragon (pictured here). "The teachers are extremely supportive, and our counselor is amazing. There's also such an amazing feeling of independence you get taking college classes."
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