Twenty Miami Students Earned Associate Degrees
A cohort at SLAM North completed dual-enrollment credits while finishing high school.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Should local high schools prioritize dual-enrollment programs to help students earn college credits?
Twenty seniors at SLAM North in Miami successfully earned their associate degrees alongside their high school diplomas. This achievement was facilitated by an ambitious dual-enrollment program through Doral College.
Why it matters
The program aims to provide tuition-free public charter school access in communities with historically fewer educational opportunities. By integrating college curriculum, it prepares students for future career success.
The 20 students completed 60 college credits each, totaling 1,200 earned credits across the cohort. This effort resulted in an estimated $312,000 in tuition savings, calculated at an estimated cost of $260 per credit.
The players
Armando Christian Pérez
He is the founder who opened the first SLAM school in 2012.
SLAM North
This is the Miami-based charter school where the 20 students completed their associate degrees.
Doral College
This institution partnered with the high school to provide the dual-enrollment credits.
The details
The schools combine a standard academic curriculum with college and career preparation to support student growth. The SLAM school network now serves nearly 7,000 students across 14 locations in Florida, Nevada, Georgia, and Arizona.
Timeline
The first SLAM school was opened in Miami in 2012.
The SLAM school network was named a Cognia System of Distinction in 2022.
Culture Shift
This achievement reflects a broader trend of expanding early college access within the public charter school system. By prioritizing college credit attainment before high school graduation, these institutions are reshaping the traditional academic trajectory for secondary students.
Families in Miami may find increased value in local charter schools that offer tuition-free college credit programs. This model allows parents and students to reduce future university tuition expenses significantly by completing requirements early.
The takeaway
Students can significantly lower the financial burden of higher education by leveraging dual-enrollment opportunities during high school. Planning for these credit-heavy programs requires students to remain disciplined and focused throughout their four-year high school career.
Further reading
For more on educational initiatives, see Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
Live Poll
Should local high schools prioritize dual-enrollment programs to help students earn college credits?
