Michigan Teen Achieves Double Graduation at 18 Years Old

In an impressive academic achievement, Savannah Remijn, an 18-year-old from Grand Rapids, Michigan, graduated from both high school and college in May 2023. This remarkable feat saw Remijn earn her high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree in legal studies from Davenport University within the same month, a combination not commonly seen among students.

Remijn began her educational journey in a private Spanish immersion school before transitioning to homeschooling in the fourth grade. She credits her success to a strategic approach that included dual enrollment courses, summer classes, and a strong commitment to her studies. “It usually shocks a lot of people,” Remijn stated, reflecting on her unique accomplishment. “It wasn’t because I had to. I still hung out with friends, had a boyfriend, and went to sporting events. I did everything a ‘normal’ high schooler would do — I just also finished college.”

Dual enrollment programs have become a significant part of educational opportunities in Michigan. These programs allow high school students to take college courses while still enrolled in their K-12 schools. According to Felicia Pope, assistant director of high school admissions at Davenport, the university typically has around 500 dual enrollment students each semester, partnering with approximately 50 high schools. While many students earn certificates or associate degrees, Remijn’s achievement of obtaining a bachelor’s degree during high school remains exceptionally rare. “I’ve been with Davenport for over 12 years,” Pope noted. “I’ve never heard of that.”

The state of Michigan mandates that all school districts, including public and state-approved nonpublic schools, offer dual enrollment opportunities to eligible students. Districts are responsible for covering the costs of up to ten classes per student. If students wish to take additional courses, Davenport provides a significantly reduced tuition rate.

Despite the wide availability of these programs, participation remains limited. As of the 2023-24 school year, 35,145 students participated in dual enrollment, representing only 6.88% of the 510,611 students in grades nine through twelve tracked by the Michigan Community College Association (MCCA). Notably, 14.88% of high school seniors enrolled in dual enrollment courses, a number that decreases with younger grades.

Remijn was among the few who began dual enrolling in her freshman year. By strategically planning her classes with the help of academic advisors, she was able to balance her high school and college coursework effectively. “I’m really grateful for the responsibility that it taught me,” she said. “I learned how to manage my own schedule. I became very independent throughout the process.”

After her freshman year, Remijn focused on college courses, first considering engineering before discovering her passion for legal studies. “Everything kept pointing to law,” she reflected, noting her aspirations to become a lawyer or paralegal. Throughout her studies, Remijn faced challenges, including a Lyme Disease diagnosis that compounded her stress during her senior year. “It had a significant effect on my overall health,” she explained. Yet with the support of her family, she persevered, viewing her academic journey as a personal project.

Looking ahead, Remijn applied for and received an age exemption to take the law school entrance exam, known as the LSAT, at just 17. By March 2023, she had been accepted into her first-choice law school, receiving her acceptance letter just days before her 18th birthday. Despite this achievement, she opted to take a gap year to focus on her health and work as a paralegal at a Grand Rapids firm. “It was really, really hard to make that choice,” she said. “But I want to give law school my best. That means taking care of myself first.”

Pope noted that Remijn’s success has inspired her family members to explore similar educational pathways. “I am now working with her little sister and a cousin,” she said. She highlighted the dual enrollment program’s potential to ease the transition to college, providing students with the opportunity to explore different career paths early on.

According to MCCA, an impressive 92.7% of dual enrollment courses in Michigan have been successfully completed. Pope emphasized the importance of these programs, stating, “At minimum, students can explore possible career paths with classes like Intro to Marketing or Intro to Cyber Defense and have a lighter college class load when they graduate.” These opportunities not only save time but also provide students with credentials that can enhance their future educational and career prospects.