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16 Garfield students earn associate degrees through early-college program
Summary
The Garfield Public School District recognized 16 members of the Class of 2025 who completed an early college program, earning an associate of science in professional studies from Bergen Community College. The program began with six students in 2020; district officials said 60 students have now completed it and 48 underclassmen are on track.
The Garfield Public School District on Tuesday recognized 16 members of the Class of 2025 who completed the district’s early college program and earned an associate of science in professional studies from Bergen Community College.
A district official told the board that the program began in 2020 with six students and has grown: "since then, 60 students have completed the program, and 48 underclassmen are currently on track to follow in their footsteps," the official said. The board presented early college honor cords to graduates who were present and listed the 16 students the district honored.
The district noted that many early college students balanced athletics, part-time work and, in some cases, vocational licensing studies while earning two years of college credit during high school. The district also said it expects to expand partnerships with other colleges in the coming school year.
Names announced by the district for the early college honor cords included: Nicole Baltilieva, Isabel Conforme Kuayo, Raul Kotarayo, Kaya Francic, Elson Gorika, Keterzyna Kapolka, Hannah Laduka, Patricia Okonska, Justin Revens, Zania Riveros, Evis Omani, Alexandra Sikorsky, Sofia Tibet, Emily Tapalik and Basora Tosca. School officials said a small number of graduates could not attend the meeting because of prior commitments.
The board congratulated the students and faculty who taught and advised them. The district said the early college graduates will wear honor cords at the high school graduation ceremony next week.
Board members and attendees praised the program as both a cost-saving opportunity for families and a college-readiness achievement for students. "To go into your college with two years under your belt already is pretty incredible," one board member said during remarks.
