Really good things are happening in the Natchez-Adams School District.

Unfortunately, they tend to get overshadowed by the bad things and the controversy that sometimes comes with a public education entity in transition.

One of the great things that has happened over the last few years is the advent of the Natchez Early College Academy.

The academy was created in 2014 with a goal of allowing students on a college track to get a head start on furthering their education.

The goal wasn’t merely to add a few advance placement classes, but to truly give students exposure to the college curriculum and environment.

Students in the program take actual college courses and earn real college credit for their endeavors.

In the spring, the first class that will graduate with a full, college associate’s degree along with their high school diplomas.

That’s impressive and will give those students who participate a real leg-up on getting their higher education studies started.

While it’s easy to poke at the school district’s problems — and even district leaders will readily admit the problems are many — acknowledging the district’s successes is not only fair, but also merited.

We applaud the work students, teachers, administrators and parents put into the Natchez Early College Academy. Their hard work is paying off with real-world success.