At just 15 years old, High School Dual Enrollment and Liberal Studies graduate, Sa’diyah Steward, of Bala Cynwyd, was the youngest member of the Montgomery County Community College Class of 2025. Photo by Linda Johnson
It took a while for Sa’diyah Steward to fully grasp what she had just accomplished. At just 15 years old, she walked across the stage at Montgomery County Community College’s 58th Commencement Ceremony May 15 to receive her associate’s degree in Liberal Studies, cementing her status as the Class of 2025’s youngest graduate.
She also earned a college degree before receiving a high school diploma. Sa’diyah is now transferring to four-year partner school Cheyney University to study on a full scholarship.
“It kicked in a couple days after graduation. I felt I actually did something,” the now 16-year-old from Bala Cynwyd said of the accomplishment. “I’m one of the youngest people to graduate from the College ever. It’s a pretty big deal. It was pretty exciting for me.”
The accomplishment was made possible through MCCC’s High School Dual Enrollment program. The program allows high school students to earn college credits while finishing high school, with courses available at participating high schools, at MCCC, or online. Sa’diyah started taking courses at MCCC online and in-person when she was 14 years old after receiving special permission. The minimum age requirement for Dual Enrollment is currently 15 years old.
Dual Enrollment students who graduate with their associate’s degree before graduating high school receive a Parallel Pathway Recognition Award for their accomplishment. Sa'diyah was one of three Dual Enrollment students who graduated with their associate’s degree this spring before receiving their high school diploma.
Born in the United States, Sa’diyah is the one of eight children and moved to Saudi Arabia when she was 3 years old. When she came back in 2016, she said her English was rusty and she had to repeat second grade, as she had primarily spoken Arabic for the last four years. After sixth grade, she was home schooled and enrolled in the Dual Enrollment program in the fall of 2023.
“I was able to advance on my schoolwork,” she said. “My mom knew I could push through.”
The prospect of beginning college at an unusually young age was a lot for Sa’diyah to handle at first.
“It was intimidating,” she said.
Most of her courses were online and asynchronous. Her first classes were English 101 and Statistics. She really enjoyed the English course.
“I did well in English,” she said. “I was excited to take the next English course. I love writing papers and analyzing stories.”
A typical day for her started at 9 a.m. and she had two or three Dual Enrollment course assignments to work on throughout the week, in addition to the work she was assigned to do through her home school tutor.
“I’m one of the youngest people to graduate from the College ever. It’s a pretty big deal. It was pretty exciting for me.”-Sa'diyah Steward
Her siblings, including her older brother, Shuyab, sister-in-law, Jadaia, and her mom, Hadiyah Dwyer, were there though to help her with her studies, especially early on.
Her younger brother, Esa, is also in the Dual Enrollment program as a Liberal Studies major with plans to study Computer Science.
By the summer of 2024, Sa’diyah said she felt comfortable in the Dual Enrollment program.
“I started to get good grades and made the Dean’s List,” she said. “I was able to get into the flow.”
In addition to online courses such child psychology or sociology, Sa’diyah said she liked to take art courses in-person because they “put me at peace.”
Outside of her schoolwork, Sa’diyah said she swims three hours a day several times a week. This summer she’s working as a lifeguard at the John P. Kelly Pool in the Fairmount Park section of Philadelphia. She’s also a Girl Scout.
Thinking about the future, Sa’diyah said she’s looking forward to attending Cheyney University in the fall. She’s undecided on a major for now but has dreams of becoming a doctor someday.
“I’m excited,” she said. “I’m excited to experience a big college campus.”
For now, though, she’s enjoying her well-earned title as the youngest graduate this year.
“I was thrilled when at graduation my family came to support me,” she said. “Being a graduate made me proud. People my age don’t always complete the Dual Enrollment program and high school. I finished both at 15 and I’m very happy about it.”
For more information about the High School Dual Enrollment program, visit the landing page or contact the program.