Norco College Middle College is marking a historic achievement this spring with 105 students graduating with both a high school diploma and an associate degree—a 15% increase from last year.
This record-breaking class reflects the program’s growing impact and its commitment to expanding college access for high school students.
Founded in 2006 as a partnership between Norco College and John F. Kennedy Middle College High School, the program enables students to complete high school while earning college credits in a supportive, academically rigorous environment.
Admission is competitive. Students must meet academic and behavioral standards, including maintaining a minimum GPA, demonstrating strong attendance, and showing a clear commitment to college readiness. Qualified applicants are entered into a lottery, with preference given to CNUSD students and siblings of current participants. All students are expected to uphold JFK’s core values of acceptance, integrity, and a future-focused mindset.
Of the 168 seniors graduating from JFK Middle College this year, 105 will walk in Norco College’s commencement ceremony on Friday, June 13. The group was previously honored at a March 28 awards night with medals, scholarships, and individual recognition—including five students who completed the Norco College Honors Program with Distinction or Great Distinction.
Graduates earned associate degrees in areas such as Social and Behavioral Studies, Communications, Humanities, STEM, Business Administration, Administration of Justice, and Political Science.
Students can take up to eight college units per term and receive academic advising, counseling, and support services directly on their high school campus. The program is designed to help them succeed in college-level work while completing their high school education.
“This program empowers students to believe they are college-bound and successful,” said Erin Deck, Norco College counselor. “They often complete general education and major prep courses, gaining valuable skills and confidence for their futures.”
The number of dual-degree graduates has steadily grown, with two students completing the program in 2013. In recent years, the number has climbed from 66 in 2022 to 91 in 2024 and now stands at 105 as of 2025.
Many of these graduates continue to four-year universities, remain at Norco College to complete additional coursework, or pursue service in the military. Students often say the program reshapes their aspirations and instills a sense of purpose and possibility.
Families interested in learning more are encouraged to attend monthly recruitment events held across the Corona-Norco Unified School District.
For more information, visit Norco College’s Middle College program webpage or contact the counseling office at JFK Middle College High School.