Taking care of a dog is no small task, especially for high schoolers who often have slightly askew priorities when it comes to managing their time. But that�s not the case for 17-year-old Kara Braley, who navigated Early College through the Community College System of New Hampshire while pursuing homeschooling and other important passions.

From an early age, Kara has mastered the art of time management, having trained three American show dogs as a Junior Handler working with 4-H�s Rolling Bones Dog Club. Through training, grooming, first aid, breed identification and showmanship, Kara developed strong public presentation skills along with self-responsibility, leadership and teamwork. And she managed all of this while finishing high school and simultaneously pursuing her associate degree in Business Management. ������

�I really wanted a more complex curriculum than what I had in homeschooling,� said Kara. �My mom attended an Early College information session at �鶹��ý � Concord�s Community College � which led me to take three classes. Now my mom tells everyone about Early College and how great it is!�

While Kara takes advantage of online courses, she also knows her way around the �鶹��ý campus in Concord, taking in-person classes on campus and getting involved in student activities. She currently serves as secretary of the Student Senate.

When asked what�s surprised her the most about Early College, Kara smiles. �The super friendly and welcoming people.�

�At some other colleges you have a class of 60 students. You can�t have a relationship with your professor. Here I can go to my professors almost anytime. They�re super responsive and they�ve been really welcoming.�

Looking to the future, Kara dreams of one day owning her own business. What type of business? She�s still figuring that out.

�It�s important to me to be whoever I want to be without having a ton of restrictions. I want to be my own boss, and I want to be a mom,� Kara said.

There�s no doubt Kara already has her priorities in order, balancing ambition with a clear sense of what matters most. She�ll graduate from high school as the class of 2027 and is on track to complete her associate degree in Business Management shortly thereafter.��

The Early College program offers three modalities for high school students: to enroll in their high school, on a community college campus, or 100% online. Courses enable students to get a jump start on their future by earning high school and college credit that is transferable to most colleges and universities or will help them accelerate their career by entering the workforce with an advantage. Eligible New Hampshire students in 10th, 11th and 12th grade get two free courses per year through the Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Scholarship program and a discounted rate for additional courses through the Early College program.

At just 17, Valerie Robinson has a high school diploma, an associate degree from �鶹��ý � Concord�s Community College in Criminal Justice, and an eight-year contract with the National Guard to serve in the military police (MP).�� Through the Early College program offered by the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH), Valerie earned dual high school and college credit for courses, enabling her to receive a high school diploma and associate degree simultaneously.

�People don�t believe me when I say I have a college degree, but then I show them the transcript and they are amazed,� Valerie said.

The Early College program offers three modalities for high school students: to enroll in their high school, on a community college campus, or 100% online. ��Courses enable students to get a jump start on their future by earning high school and college credit that is transferable to most colleges and universities or will help them accelerate their career by entering the workforce with an advantage. Eligible New Hampshire students in 10th, 11th and 12th grade get two free courses per year through the Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Scholarship program and a discounted rate for additional courses through the Early College program.

Valerie�s mother had mentioned the Early College program, but a presentation at job fair at a local high school convinced her that she wanted to enroll. �I had the time. I had the stamina. I had the drive. I wanted to go to college now so I had less that I needed to do when I was older � plus, oh goodness, that�s a lot of money I could save,� explained Valerie.

Valerie�s Criminal Justice degree from �鶹��ý has been a crucial first step in realizing her deep commitment to helping people in vulnerable situations. Before Valerie was adopted when she was seven, she had feared the police officers who removed her from an unsafe home with her birth parents or interacted with her while she was in the foster care system. Over time, she learned that they were working on her behalf and trying to protect her. As Valerie enters adulthood, she wants to be the person who makes others feel safe.

In September 2025, she will ship out to Missouri for National Guard training. She said that having her associate degree was a key to being selected for the MP program. �Employers and co-workers at every job I have applied for have been amazed that I am a college student at my age. It shows I have the education they want, but also that I am dedicated and not like other 17-year-olds.�

Valerie�s National Guard service accommodates additional education or work, and it comes as no surprise that she has big plans for her time. Valerie plans to apply credits from her associate degree in Criminal Justice to a bachelor�s degree in the field, plus she intends to pursue an additional associate degree from �鶹��ý in Business just because �it is good to have.� At the same time, she hopes to work as a corrections officer before joining a state or local police force after she turns 21.

Valerie�s three younger siblings have seen how Early College launched their sister�s future and they want to follow in her footsteps. �Honestly, they have gotten a little competitive about it,� Valerie laughed.

For more information, visit .

Just a few weeks after earning her high school diploma in May, Niko Galus proudly walked with her graduating class at �鶹��ý-Concord�s Community College, where she received an associate degree in General Studies. Niko was able to earn her college degree while still in high school thanks to the Early College program offered by the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH). Niko earned dual high school and college credit for the courses that she had been taking at �鶹��ý since she was 16 years old.

The Early College program offers three modalities for high school students: to enroll in their high school, on a community college campus, or 100% online. Courses enable students to get a jump start on their future by earning high school and college credit that is transferable to most colleges and universities or will help them accelerate their career by entering the workforce with an advantage. Eligible New Hampshire students in 10th, 11th and 12th grade get two free courses per year through the Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Scholarship program and a discounted rate for additional courses through the Early College program.

Niko planned for Early College from the time she was in middle school. �It was always in my family�s mind that it was something that I would do. It would give me a jump start on everything,� she explained.

Niko also felt that Early College would create a glide ramp to the transition from homeschooling to college. She attended all of her �鶹��ý courses on campus, enabling her to ease into a college environment.

This fall, Niko will attend Simmons University, where she plans to major in Biology and pursue her interest in dance with a minor in performing arts. Her associate degree from �鶹��ý will fast track her bachelor�s degree and a planned subsequent master�s degree in Forensics.

�I highly recommend Early College,� said Niko. �It gives you a huge advantage. It prepares you to go to a four-year college if you want to, or you can go out and work and have the credentials you need.�

For more information, visit nhti.edu/academics/early-college.