Students graduating from Northern Kentucky’s River City independent school districts are leaving high school with more than diplomas in hand.
The Class of 2026 earned more than $3.3 million in scholarships and educational awards while completing 3,387 dual credit hours, giving graduates a significant head start on their college and career journeys.
The combined achievements reflect the commitment of Bellevue, Covington, Dayton, Ludlow and Newport Independent Schools to expanding access to dual credit opportunities and postsecondary pathways that prepare students for success beyond high school.
“These outcomes demonstrate what is possible when schools, families and communities work together to support students,” said Jason Steffen, Superintendent of Ludlow Independent School District. “Our graduates are earning valuable college credits, reducing future education costs and building momentum toward their goals before they even walk across the graduation stage.”
Dual credit programs allow students to earn college-level credits while still in high school through partnerships with institutions such as Gateway Community & Technical College, Northern Kentucky University and the Northern Kentucky Young Scholars Academy (YSA). By earning credits before graduation, students can reduce the time and cost required to complete a college degree or credential.
Kendall Hayden, a graduate of Newport Independent who graduated this year with an Associate’s Degree from NKU’s YSA says, “YSA helped me build confidence as a college student while still in high school. The program’s support system, the friendships I made with other YSA students, and the opportunity to earn my associate degree have given me a strong foundation for pursuing my career goals”
Brittany Macario-Pablo, a Newport graduate, who also attended YSA this year said, “The YSA experience has had a positive impact on my life . It gave me a head start, early exposure to college, and helped me build confidence, meet new people, and gain direction. I really encourage anyone thinking about it to go for it, because it can be life-changing.”
The impact can be seen across the river cities:
• Covington Independent Schools students earned 857 college credit hours and more than $2 million in scholarships and educational awards.
• Newport Independent Schools students completed 756 dual credit hours and earned more than $77,000 in scholarships.
• Dayton Independent Schools students completed 657 dual credit hours and earned nearly $190,000 in scholarships.
• Bellevue Independent Schools students earned 610 college credit hours and more than $273,000 in scholarships while achieving a 100 percent college and career readiness rate among graduates.
• Ludlow Independent Schools students completed 507 dual credit hours and earned more than $783,000 in scholarship awards.
District leaders say the results highlight the unique advantages of community-based independent school districts, where students benefit from personalized support, strong relationships and expanded opportunities to explore college and career pathways.
“These numbers represent more than scholarships and college credits,” said Bellevue Superintendent, Misty Middleton. “They represent opportunities for students to pursue their goals with confidence, reduce financial barriers and enter the next chapter of their lives prepared for success.”
As the Class of 2026 begins its next chapter, these achievements reflect the continued investment River City schools are making to ensure students graduate ready to thrive in college, careers and life.
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