While most high school students are focused on passing classes and planning for graduation, CORE Butte sophomore Daniel Hassoun is already earning an associate’s degree in political science while preparing to graduate high school early.

Daniel is one of many other CORE Butte students taking advantage of college opportunities through dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment, and Chico State’s High School Scholars (HSS) program. Through these programs, and CORE’s unique hybrid schedule, students can earn college credit while still being in high school.

Each semester, CORE Butte students can take up to 11 college units through Butte College and a maximum of two lower-division classes at Chico State. To apply for a college class, students must receive approval from their PLT and counselors. They must also stay enrolled in at least 20 high school units through CORE.

Unlike many students, Daniel began taking college classes in the eighth grade. “I got an exception,” Daniel explained. “My dad fought and went back and forth with [the middle school], so they let me take two classes.”

Daniel took college English and math courses while still in middle school, earning As, and proving that he could handle the workload. Those early classes allowed him to continue taking college classes immediately during his freshman year at CORE.

Since then, Daniel has taken classes through both Butte College and Chico State. While Butte College allows any high school student to take their courses, Chico State’s HSS program is usually limited to juniors and seniors.

Daniel was granted an exception during the spring semester of his freshman year.  “I don’t know the specifics,” Daniel said. “But all I know is that my dad went to the board and spoke with them, and when he came out, I was allowed to take Chico State classes.”

Now, Daniel is on course to earn an associate’s degree by the end of this spring semester.

According to CORE Butte staff, students apply for college classes by completing special concurrent enrollment forms that can be found on the colleges’ websites.  Most of the costs are covered by CORE, and textbooks can be ordered and borrowed from our library. “As long as you’re in the school, it’s funded by the school,” Daniel said.

The college classes also accelerate your path toward high school graduation requirements, since one semester of college will earn you 10 high school units or more. For Daniel, that meant completing required classes opened up room in his schedule to take electives like Journalism and Yearbook. “School becomes more fun,” Daniel said.

Daniel said his long-term goal is to either become a college professor or a lawyer.

To continue progressing towards a bachelor’s degree, Daniel plans to graduate high school after his junior year so he can begin taking Chico State classes full time. 

Daniel said the whole process would have been extremely difficult without his family, and it still wasn’t easy. But he believes the effort was worth it. “Getting an associate’s degree early is always good. Statistics show education directly helps you get jobs. And then the higher you go in education, the better.”