An associate degree is like a special certificate you can earn after going to school for two years. It means that you know a lot about a certain subject, like math or science or art. It's kind of like getting a gold star for doing a really good job in your classes!
When you finish high school and decide to go to college, some people choose to go to a four-year school right away, where they can earn a bachelor's degree. But others might choose to start out at a community college and earn an associate degree first. This is a great option if you're not sure what you want to study or if you want to save some money before going to a bigger school.
To earn an associate degree, you have to take several classes in your chosen subject, like English or biology or history. You might also have to take some general education classes, like math or English or public speaking. You'll have lots of homework and tests and projects, just like you did in high school. But if you work hard and do well, you can earn that special certificate at the end of two years.
Once you have an associate degree, you can decide if you want to start working or if you want to keep going to school to earn a higher degree. You could transfer to a four-year school and earn a bachelor's degree, or you could look for a job that requires an associate degree. Either way, you should be proud of yourself for completing this important step in your education!