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Polk County students complete Tennessee Valley Early College program, earn associate degrees
Summary
Two Polk County High School seniors told the school board they completed the Tennessee Valley Early College program at Cleveland State and will receive their associate degrees just before high‑school graduation; both students said the program accelerated their college progress and eased the transition to university study.
Two Polk County High School seniors told the Polk County School Board that they have completed the Tennessee Valley Early College program at Cleveland State and will receive associate degrees one week before their high‑school graduation.
Leanne Thomasson, the school's career coach, introduced Abby Mhouse and Piper, who described taking college‑level courses that counted toward both high‑school graduation and college credit. "I'm taking my government and economics requirements through Cleveland State," Abby said, adding that the dual enrollment allowed her to earn college credits while fulfilling high‑school requirements. Piper said she has completed roughly 59–69 credit hours and is enrolled in advanced math and science courses.
The students said the program reduced the time to a bachelor’s degree: Piper said the credits should allow her to finish a mechanical engineering degree in about two and a half years instead of the usual four to five. Both students said the experience helped them form study groups with older college peers and prepared them for campus life; one said she was accepted into the Innovations and Honors College at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
School leaders congratulated the students and noted the district's partnership with Cleveland State to provide early college options. The board noted the students' May 8, 2026 associate degree completion dates and applauded their academic achievements.
