15-year-old to graduate from AZ college

COOLIDGE, AZ - A student from Casa Grande is set to pull off a rare double feat by graduating from high school and college simultaneously.

Kimberly Koerth started taking classes at Central Arizona College at age 12.

The credits she earns at CAC also count at her high school in Casa Grande.

On Saturday, she'll graduate from college and, several weeks later, from high school.

"I just went to prom a couple of weeks ago, I still have a lot of fun," admits Koerth. "I get to hang out with my friends, maybe not as often as a regular student but it doesn't bother me because it'll help me in the long run."

More than 100 high school students in Pinal County take classes at Central Arizona College.

As a result, many of them leave high school with two years of college under their belt, saving both time and money.

"It's becoming more and more popular because it's such an advantage to students," said Koerth.

Administrators at CAC admit it's not for everybody.

"If the student is not mature, it is a problem," said Dr. Doris Helmich, President of Central Arizona College. "The student needs to be committed and mature because this is their college GPA."

Koerth sports a perfect 4.0 GPA.

It's earned her a college degree before she even has a driver license.

"I think if you set goals and you commit yourself to achieving them you can," said Koerth. "You just have to be determined."

Koerth will start at The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University in the fall.

She plans to have her masters degree from ASU before her 18th birthday.