Fifteen Oxford High School students received their community college and high school diplomas within a week of one another, thanks to the school’s Early College Academy program, writes Kathy Boccella for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The students received their associate degrees at Cecil College on May 20, a week before receiving their diplomas from Oxford High School.

The Early College Academy program started four years ago, with most of the original 19 students staying with it. The pioneering students jumped at the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in just two or three years, while saving thousands of dollars in tuition.

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“I loved it,” said Julia DeGrave, who will attend West Chester University in the fall and study elementary education. “When I was coming in, I was nervous and didn’t know what I was getting myself into. As I went along, it was great!”

Oxford is the only high school in Pennsylvania to offer this four-year program.

Read more about the pioneering students from Oxford High School in the Philadelphia Inquirer here.