Congratulations to 12 high school seniors at Pinnacle Classical Academy in Shelby, North Carolina! These students graduated early–at the end of the first semester. We’re so proud of their achievement.
Below, we share the news release from Pinnacle, sent to us by Jeff Ziegler, Pinnacle’s dean of academics.
Twelve seniors graduated from Pinnacle Classical Academy at the conclusion of the first semester.
Ten of the 12 are currently enrolled at Cleveland Community College, and six have already earned an associate’s degree or a certificate from CCC. These students will join their classmates in May at formal commencement exercises.
“Our Pinnacle Board of Directors support an early graduation program for students that are fast-tracking to the workplace and continuing their college education,” said Sen. Debbie Clary, co-founder of Pinnacle Classical Academy and chair of the board of directors. “They’ve earned the ability to move forward a few months early.”
“We are so proud of these seniors, who will be honored with the other members of the class of 2026 at our May 30 commencement ceremony,” said Dr. Shelly Shope, the school’s CEO. “While most of our seniors graduate in the spring, we respect the choice of students who have completed all of our graduation requirements.”
Founded in 2013, Pinnacle Classical Academy is a tuition-free public charter school in Shelby that attracts 1,215 students. U.S. News & World Report ranks the school among the top elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools in the nation. Last spring, the 40 members of the school’s class of 2025 were offered a combined $6.4 million in merit scholarships to college.
Pinnacle’s CEO Shelly Shope also serves as vice chair of the Coalition’s Board of Directors.
Above photo: Shutterstock.
