Hamilton High School and Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) are helping eleven students get a jump start on their careers while earning both high school and college credits. Students, staff and families gathered in the high school gym on April 16 to celebrate the students officially signing contracts to participate in the Dual Enrollment Academy during the 2025-26 school year.
The Dual Enrollment Academy helps ease the transition from high school to post-secondary education, providing insight into college academics and a jump-start on apprenticeship programs. This initiative also gives business and industry access to a pipeline of new, well-trained talent.
“While the Dual Enrollment program is not new, this is our inaugural signing day ceremony,” explained Hamilton High School Associate Principal and Extended Learning Coordinator Marquea Goike. “We are beginning this tradition because we want to celebrate this very important accomplishment. These eleven students have taken a very important step in their educational journey and we wanted to invite you all to be here today when they officially commit to take part in the program.”
Students accepted to the highly competitive Dual Enrollment Academy will be at WCTC from 8 a.m. – noon every day during their senior year and attend high school at Hamilton for their fourth block class.
The following students are enrolled:
- Jacob Aidich – automation systems
- Jacob Avila-Neuheisel – building trades/electrical
- Zachary Benson – building trades
- John Debyl – tool and die/CNC
- Bennet Hora – tool and die/CNC
- Breccan Hutter – building trades/Electrical
- Ava Ojeda – criminal justice
- Blake Olson – welding/fabrication
- Evan Reyes – tool and die/CNC
- Bradley Socci – building trades
- Kellen Therrian – information technology systems specialist
After successfully completing the program, students earn a WCTC certificate or diploma and high school credits.
This year, more than 350 high school students from all over Waukesha County applied to take part in the Dual Enrollment Academy. Almost every program had more applicants than spots available.