DeVry University Advantage Academy Graduates Celebrate Early College Milestones

Graduation is an incredible milestone for many learners, but a group of Chicago high school students from DeVry University Advantage Academy (DUAA) are celebrating something extra special – crossing the graduation stage with a head start on college.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250527946485/en/

Through the university’s dual-enrollment programs, 73 DUAA students have earned an associate degree alongside their high school diploma. Thirty-eight earned an associate degree in Information Technology and Networking and 35 earned an associate degree in Business Management. These 73 DUAA students comprise over 30% of the 211 Chicago area seniors who will be stepping into the future with more than a diploma.

“We are extremely proud of our graduates for completing this incredible milestone,” said Brian Niro, assistant dean, teaching and learning for DeVry University. “Earning a degree is no small feat and as high school students, they are already a step ahead, getting a powerful head start on their futures. We are honored to have played a small part in that success by providing students with the knowledge and self-confidence they need to reach the next step in their respective academic journeys.”

“This remarkable number of CPS students isn’t just finishing high school—they’re accelerating toward their college and career ambitions,” added Juan Chkoumbova, chief education officer of Chicago Public Schools (CPS). “This is what we mean when we talk about high-quality, rigorous public education. These students embody the academic excellence and determination we work to cultivate every single day.”

Founded in 2004, DeVry University Advantage Academy is a dual-enrollment program for qualified 11^th and 12^th grade students offered at no additional cost and currently welcomes students from 48 high schools across the Chicago Public School system. Advantage Academy students earn their high school diploma and associate degrees at the same time.

At DeVry’s Advantage Academy, high school students are immersed in a professional learning environment where they develop skills through challenging, engaging and relevant education experiences from university professors. DUAA students develop life-long learning habits that will shape their college experience and their future beyond their formal education.

This year, 211 CPS seniors, which include the 73 DUAA graduates, have earned both a high school diploma and an associate degree. In total, more than 6,600 CPS students from the Class of 2025 earned more than 66,000 early college credits—the highest achievement in CPS history—representing an estimated $10 million in tuition savings for CPS families.

“We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2025 for making history in our early college programs,” noted Pedro Martinez, CEO of Chicago Public Schools. “These graduates are not just walking away with high school diplomas—they’re leaving our schools with college credits, real momentum toward their degrees, and thousands of dollars in tuition savings for their families. This is what it looks like when we invest in students and help them thrive beyond graduation.”

In addition to their high school graduations, Advantage Academy graduates will attend DeVry’s in-person Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, June 8 at the Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont, Ill.

To learn more, visit DeVry University Advantage Academy.

About DeVry University

DeVry University strives to close society’s opportunity gap and address emerging talent needs by preparing learners to thrive in careers shaped by continuous technological change. Founded in 1931, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs onsite and online in Business, Healthcare and Technology. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC, www.hlcommission.org/). The university’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. To learn more, visit devry.edu

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250527946485/en/