Pike County Schools recently announced 57 percent of its graduating seniors have earned college credit while in high school. 

Pike County Schools includes both Pike County and Goshen High School, which have a combined 133 seniors graduating in the class of 2025. Pike County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Bazzell said the college credits are offered through dual enrollment opportunities with Troy University, Enterprise State Community College and Lurleen B. Wallace Community College. 

“Fifty-seven percent of our Pike County Schools graduates have earned college credit while in high school at no cost to them,” Bazzell said. “Of the 133 seniors, 25 of these students have earned an associate degree, 31 have earned a certificate in various collegiate technical programs and 20  others earned at least one college credit or more. Our Global Studies students earned 24 hours of college credits each.”

Jodie Jefcoat, director of the Center for Advanced Academics and Accelerated Learning, oversees the school system’s academies program. Jefcoat said the wide range of programs gives students a variety of opportunities to further their education. 

“Through various post-secondary partnerships, Pike County Schools believe the opportunities provided to our students are unmatched,” Jefcoat said. “The system boasts more than 20 different academy programs, each having unique college programs of study designed to meet the needs and interests of students.  Whether your student plans to attend a four-year university after high school graduation, learn a trade or skill, or go straight into the workforce or military, Pike County Schools has a program to meet those needs which will give your student an advantage over traditional graduates.”

Dr. Jamie Rich, Career Technology Education director for the Troy-Pike Center for Technology, said the center was able to offer more dual enrollment opportunities for students through a Perkins Innovation and Modernization Grant. Rich said the TPCT is a joint venture between Troy City Schools and Pike County Schools and offers 11 different curriculums for students. 

“This academic year, Pike County Schools graduated 31 students earning technical certificates and 18 students earning college credits in at least one technical course,” Rich said. “We pride ourselves on offering programs that meet the needs of business and industry.  In fact, several of our students have signed on with local business and industry for full employment such as  Lockheed Martin, Kimber, Dorsey Trailers, K & W and Sanders Companies and the Alabama Army National Guard. Others are continuing their post-secondary education in the Fall.”

Rich said two TPCT students had been recognized for their outstanding success in mechatronics at ESCC.

“We are incredibly proud of our mechatronics seniors,” Rich said. “Audrei Catteuw was honored as ESCC Dual Enrollment Mechatronics Student of the Year, and Zane Rigdon was honored as ESCC Mechatronics Certificate Student of the Year at the annual ESCC Mechatronics Awards Program. In addition to the plaques they received, their names will be added to the ESCC Ozark campus honoree wall in the mechatronics building.”

Bazzell said administrators and the Pike County Board of Education were proud of what the graduating seniors had accomplished. 

“We are proud to offer these valuable opportunities to qualified students at no cost to their families, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder access to quality education,” Bazzell said. “This initiative is a testament to our commitment to removing obstacles and creating extraordinary opportunities for every qualified student, regardless of their socio-economic status or background. Over the past decade, the program has seen significant growth, and we are proud to continue expanding and offering these life-changing opportunities.”