SOUTH CHARLESTON, W. Va. – Students graduating from WIN Academy at BridgeValley Community and Technical College are leaving high school with more than diplomas. Members of the Class of 2026 completed college coursework, workforce-aligned training, and industry-focused educational pathways while still in high school, positioning many to complete associate degrees just one year after graduation.
WIN Academy celebrated its Class of 2026 during a commencement ceremony held May 9, 2026, recognizing students who embraced an accelerated educational model designed to prepare students for both college and high-demand careers across West Virginia.
The early college public charter high school allows students to complete high school graduation requirements while simultaneously earning college credits and preparing for careers in fields such as nursing, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technology. Students attend classes on BridgeValley’s South Charleston campus and learn alongside college students in real instructional and laboratory environments.
“The Class of 2026 represents exactly what WIN Academy was created to accomplish,” said Jennifer Hurt, Dean of High School Programs. “These students challenged themselves academically, embraced new opportunities, and demonstrated that high school students are capable of succeeding in rigorous college and workforce-focused environments. They are graduating with momentum, confidence, and a strong foundation for whatever comes next.”
Among the graduates recognized during the ceremony was Kaydence Meadows, the first WIN Academy high school student to complete her Certificate of Applied Science in Practical Nursing while still in high school. Meadows will enter the second semester of BridgeValley’s traditional RN program this summer, significantly accelerating her path into the healthcare workforce.
School leadership also highlighted the continued growth and momentum of WIN Academy, including the launch of a new IT/Cyber pathway supported through recent grant funding and the academy’s largest incoming class to date planned for next year.
The ceremony featured remarks from Interim President Suzette Breeden, student speaker Kaydence Meadows, and keynote speaker Natalie Tennant.
WIN Academy students benefit from hands-on learning experiences, college-level instruction, and workforce partnerships that connect education directly to regional employment opportunities. Program partners and clinical or workforce learning sites include healthcare providers and major employers across West Virginia.
“WIN Academy continues to demonstrate how innovative educational models can expand opportunity for students and strengthen West Virginia’s future workforce,” Hurt said. “Our graduates are proving that students can achieve extraordinary things when they are challenged, supported, and given access to meaningful college and career pathways.”
For more information about the WIN Academy at BridgeValley Community and Technical College, visit https://www.bridgevalley.edu/winacademy/index.html.