DOTHAN, Ala., (WDNews) – A 13-year-old in Alabama has made history by enrolling in college, drawing statewide and national attention as one of the youngest students in the country to begin higher education. While no college in the Wiregrass has reported a student that young, a few local teens have still made notable strides.
Fifteen-year-old Darinda Beacham graduated from Dothan High School in May 2025. According to school officials, Beacham transferred from a homeschool program where she had already completed coursework through the 11th grade. At Dothan High, she finished her senior year with a 3.5 GPA and met college and career readiness requirements. She plans to attend Florida A&M University.
Another Wiregrass student, Miley Taylor of Goshen, earned her bachelor’s degree from Troy University at age 19. University officials say she graduated with a degree in Risk Management and Insurance and accepted a full-time job in the field shortly after.
While their circumstances differ, both students reflect how early academic progress is possible through a combination of homeschool acceleration, public school coursework, and early college programs.
Local colleges including Troy University Dothan, Wallace Community College, and Enterprise State Community College offer dual enrollment programs that allow high school students to take college-level courses for credit. These programs have become a growing option for students looking to advance academically.
At this time, no Wiregrass institutions have publicly announced students under the age of 16 currently enrolled in their degree programs.
