Paige Spedoske, 16, of Portland High School, is earning college credits at Montcalm Community College while she’s in high school.

Spedoske is part of the college’s dual enrollment program which allows students to enroll in up to 10 college classes throughout their high school career. Successful completion of a college course grants students college credit as well as satisfies one of their high school graduation requirements, either a core requirement or an elective requirement, depending on the college course taken.

“I thought it would help out with getting the easy classes out of the way,” she said. She found out about the program from her basketball coach.

She has taken English, Intro to Film, Social Problems and Genral Psychology. “I like that I’m doing real classes that also meet requirements for high school,” Spedoske said.

At college, Spedoske has learned there’s a lot more studying involved. Spedoske is interested in a career in occupational therapy or as a nurse practitioner. She’s not sure which college she’s going to transfer to, but she’s considering Grand Valley State University.

Spedoske likes to play sports, especially basketball, which she’s been involved in since third grade, and golf, which she’s been playing since eighth grade. “It’s a great way to get a head start on college,” Spedoske said.

To learn more about Dual Enrollment at MCC, visit montcalm.edu/dual-enroll.