Eastern Iowa teen set to graduate college before high school

WEST UNION, Iowa (KCRG) - High School Graduation is quickly approaching for the class of 2024, marking a big milestone for many young adults. But one Eastern Iowa Student is celebrating more than one graduation this year.

Elliot Maire is graduating from North Fayette Valley High School on May 19th.

And he’ll be walking across the stage with another degree already in hand.

”It’s kind of been what I’ve been working for for a long time,” said Maire.

Elliot Maire started his freshman year of high school at age 12.

Now 15, he’s about to graduate from Northeast Iowa Community College with his associate’s degree next month. 10 days before he graduates from high school.

”It was something that was attainable. you know over the course of four years, you know, if I take classes over the summer and the winter, spring and fall. It really wasn’t going to be a ton more work. One or two classes around each period and then. It would. I mean, it’s financial savings. It’s teaching me a lot. In the meantime,” said Maire.

Elliot’s mom, Kaci, said he showed signs of brilliance at a young age.

”Started reading by the age he was two and we just knew we needed to maybe take a different,” said Kaci.

Kacy said learning at home allowed them to tailor Elliot’s education for what worked best for him.

”If he wanted more as far as the schooling goes, we allowed that to happen and if he said, hey, I want to skip another grade or hey, I think that I’m ready to, you know, maybe progress in a different area. Let’s make that happen,” said Kaci.

Once he hit middle school academics- he shifted from home to public school.

He started taking classes online offered by NICC his freshman year of high school, and took at least one course every semester and in the summer.

According to the Iowa Department of Education, more than 40,000 high school students participated in joint enrollment last fall marking an almost 8% increase from 2022.

”We’re really hoping we’re helping them decide their career pathways, getting exposure to fields, hopefully getting connected to local workplaces and deciding at a younger age, if that’s something that they want to continue on, or maybe they find out that’s not really the pathway and before they invest a ton of money in that program helping them to decided if that’s the right path,” said Kaite Gilbert, NICC Dean of High School Partnerships.

After Elliot earns his diploma and degree in May, he’ll be headed to Oklahoma in the Fall.

”I’m going straight into more schooling. Yeah. So I’m going to go down to the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They offered me a full-ride scholarship,” said Maire.

He intends to study engineering and will walk on campus at age 16. Acclimating to college life at his pace.

”I definitely want to take it slow. I think having the opportunity to kind of just do it normally for. Once in my life is going to be much appreciated,” he said.

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