Michael Smith is a track standout at his school.

He’s a rare breed because his school, DeKalb Early College Academy (DECA) in Stone Mountain, has no track team.

In fact, DECA offers no athletic programs of any kind. DECA offers college-preparatory classes to put high school students on a fast-track to college.

This month, Smith accepted a full scholarship with Clemson University on National Signing Day, becoming the first student to receive an athletic scholarship since DECA opened in 2006.

“Receiving this scholarship shows this student body and the county that you can attend a school like this one, focus on academics and compete in athletic outlets successfully,” said Smith, who ran year round with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and Track Phi Track Elite Track Club to fill the athletic void not provided at DECA.

“I’ve accepted this track scholarship and I will start at Clemson in the fall with 54 credits as an advanced sophomore,” said Smith.

The 17-year-old senior credits his younger brother, Eron, with his selection as a Clemson recruit.

“I definitely have to give credit to my brother. Without him, I’m not sure if I would be going to Clemson or if the recruiters would’ve even noticed me that day,” said Smith.

It was 13-year-old Eron who ran up to recruiters with no fear of letting them know about his big brother during the USATF Junior Olympic Regional Meet last July. The meet hosted competitors from all over the country, showcasing talent from places such as Maryland and Virginia as well.

“When I saw the orange jumpsuits (recruiters from Clemson), I just ran to them. I told them, you have to see my brother run,” said Eron Smith, who stood side by side with the recruiters until they watched Michael compete.

Eron knows what it takes to excel on the field.

Eron is in the seventh grade at DeKalb’s Chapel Hill Middle School, where he is enrolled in the school’s magnet program, and competes in the 400 and 800-meter himself.

DECA Principal/Director Sharon D. Ordu says she is proud of Smith. Ordu says Michael has set a precedent at the school.

“We both came to this school in 2009. This means a great deal to me, being able to follow Michael’s path from his family choosing our facility to further his education to witnessing him learn and grow into an accomplished young man,” said Ordu. “This is just affirmation that if you combine excellence in both the academic and athletic arenas like Michael has done, anything is possible.”

Through DECA’s joint enrollment program, high school students take college-preparatory classes in the 9th and 10th grades.

In 11th and 12th grades, students who have demonstrated a readiness for college level courses take classes at Georgia Perimeter College (GPC).

Some students, like Smith, are able to complete enough college credits to earn an associate degree by the time they graduate from high school.

Smith began running track in the fifth grade.

He currently competes in the 400-meter hurdles, 400- meter dash and will be running the 110-meter hurdles at Clemson University.

The Lithonia resident has won the AAU Junior Olympics, is a three-time USATF Youth National Champion, placed in the top five at the AAU Junior Olympics five times and placed top five in USATF Youth Nationals.

Smith also has won the AAU State Meet five times and has qualified for the AAU Junior Olympics for four consecutive years, all while maintaining a 3.0 GPA and earning a perfect 100 percent in his World Literature course at GPC.

“We are blessed to have two boys that can run track and comprehend well in the classroom. We really feel that Clemson is the right fit for Michael,” said mom, Sylvia Smith. “The boy’s father, Stanford, and I have worked hard together as a family to get to this point. It feels good to see Michael succeed and we look forward to Eron following his brother’s path of success.”