Elijah Smith was in eighth grade when he took his first Lorain County Community College class. At 13 years old, he aced Student Development (SDEV) 101: Introduction to the LCCC Community.  

That first college course kickstarted the following four years of high school for Smith, during which he earned more than 60 LCCC credits through College Credit Plus (CCP). 

This May, Smith will earn not only his high school diploma from Brookside High School, but an associate of science and an associate of arts from LCCC. 

“I took CCP classes because I wanted to get a little bit ahead,” Smith said. “I wanted to try and gain as much credit for free as I could, before I went off to college.” 

College Credit Plus is a state-funded program that allows students to earn college credits while in high school, all for free.  

“I saved my family a ton of money, which my parents were very happy about,” Smith said. “That was probably the main reason I did it. We thought, ‘It’s free, let’s give it a shot.’ And my parents believed I was smart enough to start so young, and so did I.” 

Smith’s parents saw in him both the potential to handle college-level courses, and the determination it would take to excel in them.  

“Taking college credit early has helped Elijah develop a strong academic discipline,” said his mom, Yimarie. “As a parent, I am most proud of his perseverance to stay committed and the growth in confidence and independence he has shown.” 

Smith said taking an average of nine college credits each semester, while also taking a full high school courseload taught him a big lesson in time management. 

“I had to set aside time during the day to do certain homework, and I had to make sure I didn’t procrastinate on anything,” he said. “My parents were a big help, too. They helped me stay on track.” 

As part of the CCP program, students can use the credits they earn at LCCC or transfer them to another college or university after high school graduation. Smith’s dad, Eric, noted that the jumpstart CCP allows extends beyond the classroom. 

“Besides the tuition expense we saved on, Elijah saved valuable time, giving himself a great headstart in life,” Eric said. “He is very self-driven, but had a great support system behind him, which he was always grateful for.” 

The faculty and staff at LCCC have been part of Smith’s support system, where he plans to stay after graduation. In doing some research, Smith decided to apply for the college’s associate degree in nursing program. 

“LCCC has the second-best nursing program in the state, with the second highest passing rate of the NCLEX,” Smith said. “So, I decided to come here, plus they awarded me the Trustee Scholarship. It was the best of both worlds.” 

LCCC nursing graduates have a long history of high pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). In 2023, 93% passed, well surpassing the state average of 86.7%. Smith, who hopes to one day be among those passing, has already been accepted into LCCC’s associate degree of nursing program.  

“I feel like I’m really ahead,” Smith said. “LCCC and the CCP program have provided an amazing community that has helped uplift me and prepare me for what’s next.”