Yuma siblings set to earn AWC degrees before high school

Two Yuma siblings, Lyra and Max Olea, are set to complete 60-credit associate degrees at Arizona Western College before they ever walk into a high school classroom, a timeline that reduces a full associate degree bill from about $6,300 at AWC’s in-state rate to roughly $1,800 under the college’s $30 per-credit dual-enrollment rate, a savings of about $4,500. ([azwestern.edu](azwestern.edu/admissions/tuition-and-fees))

KYMA profiled the Olea siblings on April 9, 2026, reporting that both expect to participate in AWC’s May commencement and that each is already enrolled in classes at Northern Arizona University as they continue their academic planning. Max told a KYMA reporter, "One thing that inspired me to graduate early is I wanted to get ahead, because I'm not exactly sure what I want to be when I grow up. So then I can have more options." Lyra credited family motivation and support for her path. ([kyma.com](kyma.com/education/yuma-education/2026/04/09/yuma-siblings-graduate-college-before-starting-high-school/))

Arizona Western College’s Dual Enrollment program frames itself as a head start for high school students, offering a discounted Early College Experience rate of $30 per credit hour and campus access including library, tutoring and other student services. AWC notes dual-credit courses can be delivered on the high school campus by qualified high school teachers, and first-time dual-enrollment students must follow admissions and registration steps while returning students use a streamlined process and can book one-on-one appointments with AWC staff. The college reports hundreds of dual-enrollment participants annually and highlighted that more than 100 high school students earned associate degrees in May 2025. ([azwestern.edu](azwestern.edu/dual-enrollment))

The mechanics matter for families who want to replicate the Olea pathway: an associate degree typically requires at least 60 credit hours under Arizona’s transfer system, meaning students who complete dual enrollment early can eliminate roughly two semesters of college coursework after high school. Families in Yuma can begin by contacting their high school counselor to confirm AWC partner offerings at local campuses such as Gila Ridge High School, Cibola High School, Kofa High School and Yuma High School, then follow AWC’s dual-enrollment admissions steps and schedule appointments as described on the college’s student portal. ([aztransfer.com](aztransfer.com/about/associate_degrees.html))

Statewide data underscore both the promise and the gap in access: the ASU Helios Decision Center and Helios Education Foundation reported that in 2020 only about 24 percent of Arizona high school graduates had taken at least one dual-enrollment course, while participants in dual enrollment are more likely to attend and persist in college. The Olea example highlights how local advising and family support can translate statewide policy tools into tangible outcomes for students in Yuma County. ([helios.org](helios.org/legacy_assets/media/m5oegog2/brief-dual-enrollment-in-az-update-date-february-2023.pdf))

AWC’s large spring commencements have become regional milestones, with the college holding a joint ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium in May 2025 that included local high school students earning Associate of Arts credentials through dual-credit programs. The Olea siblings’ expected appearance at AWC’s May ceremony will put a spotlight on how dual-enrollment pathways, coordinated between Yuma schools and AWC, can shorten time-to-workforce or to a bachelor’s degree while substantially lowering direct tuition costs for families. ([azwestern.edu](azwestern.edu/news/awc-celebrates-commencement-may-16))