LaVergne High School and Motlow State Community College have entered into a new partnership that will allow members of the class of 2020 to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate's degree.

Through the program, a select group of students will be able to complete 60 college credit hours during their junior and senior years at LaVergne High by taking 20 dual enrollment classes, Assistant Principal Kyle Nix said.

"This is an amazing opportunity for the students at LHS and for the La Vergne community, and we are excited to embark on this new adventure," Nix said. "Our hope is to continue to build our dual enrollment program so that we can increase our student's post-graduate success and continue to have a positive impact on our community."

The program will cost approximately $1,000, Nix said, which would normally cost students close to $11,500 if they took the courses as college students at Motlow.

"Since our students often come from low income households, we are thrilled to be able to offer a way for them to earn a degree at a lower cost," Nix added.

For the past several years, LaVergne High students have been able to earn literally thousands of college credit hours through the school's Dual Enrollment Academy.

Parents who are interested in learning more about the dual enrollment programs, should speak with a guidance counselor or a member of the school's administration. Information is also available online at www.lhs.rcschools.net.