Jules Marquis graduated in the spring of 2025 with a college degree before most of his peers had received their high school diplomas. By embracing opportunities to significantly accelerate his education, Jules earned an associate degree in Computer Information Systems from Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) before his 17th birthday.
Jules attended public school until fourth grade. His mother began homeschooling him when it became clear that he needed additional academic challenges. He raced through the high school curriculum, and says he was done earlier than normal.
Through the Early College program offered by the Community College System of NH (CCSNH), Jules was able to start taking college courses at LRCC. He relished the challenge of taking five or six online college courses at a time while working 32 hours a week at a grocery store.
The Early College program offers three modalities for high school students: to enroll in their high school, on a community college campus, or 100% online. Courses enable students to get a jump start on their future by earning high school and college credit that is transferable to most colleges and universities or will help them accelerate their career by entering the workforce with an advantage. Eligible New Hampshire students in 10th, 11th and 12th grade can take two free courses per year through the Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Scholarship program and a discounted rate for additional courses through the Early College program.
For Jules, Early College was both a much-needed source for an academic challenge and a short cut to realize his dreams for the future. He will attend Plymouth State University (PSU) in the fall and plans to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in finance in two years thanks to the credits transferred from LRCC. Ultimately, Jules hopes to land an internship at Gartner, a noted research and advisory firm.
“I got a good education at LRCC and it gave me the challenges that I needed,” said Jules. “I had some great professors that inspired me to put in good work and do creative things.”
Jules encourages high school students to explore the opportunities offered through the Early College program. “College is not as scary as it seems. If you can read a book, you can get a degree. Ask questions, have fun and interact with professors and other students. These are things that will benefit you in college and in life,” he commented with wisdom far exceeding his years.
