2 minute read
SCF to Offer Collegiate School in Venice
Starting next fall, about 100 high school juniors will get the first opportunity to enroll at SCF’s newest Collegiate School. The Sarasota County School Board unanimously approved the application for the State College of Florida Collegiate School (SCFCS) at SCF Venice to open to 11th graders in 2019. In its second year, the school will boast both juniors and seniors. By 2022, SCFCS Venice will be host to about 400 high school students. SCFCS Bradenton, located in Manatee County, is a National Blue Ribbon School and is recognized as one of the best schools in the state. The charter school offers students 60 tuition-free college credits and guides them through college at SCF, providing a map to help them as they transfer to a university setting. A partnership that offers SCFCS Bradenton graduates an opportunity to attend Florida Gulf Coast University or University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee tuition-free also is expected to apply to Venice graduates. Sarasota County School Board members were aware of the school’s reputation and its academic rigor when approving the application. They were impressed that students from the Collegiate School graduate with Associate in Arts degrees the same day they receive their high school diplomas. Jane Goodwin, the school board member whose district includes Venice, said during the meeting that students who have graduated from SCFCS Bradenton have done well academically and saved money on their college costs. “We can use this in South County,” she said. “Our students have the opportunity to excel academically, experience life on campus and are provided the guidance to succeed. We look forward to offering this experience to students in Sarasota County,” said Kelly Monod, SCFCS Bradenton head of school.
SCFCS can fast track the time it takes to earn a degree, but it also helps high school students develop time management skills, improve their writing skills and advance their critical thinking. The students will have the opportunity to participate in college clubs and organizations at SCF Venice, including Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Phi Beta Lambda, Model UN, Food Forest Club, Arts Club, and History and Political Science Club. SCFCS Venice will work to attract a student body that mirrors the community. Applicants must meet legislative dual enrollment criteria, including a 3.0 unweighted GPA, and meet PERT/ACT/SAT score requirements. Depending on the number of eligible applicants, the Collegiate School will hold a random drawing for fall enrollment for the 11th grade before the College opens the fall semester for admissions. Intent to enroll forms will be available in late January. Beginning in 9th grade in 2021, students at SCFCS Venice will be offered highly rigorous coursework in their first two high school years that is developed by teachers, with collaboration from College professors. The partnership builds courses that will bridge high school curriculum to prepare students for College courses. Students will be assigned academic coaches as mentors. The academic coach introduces different lessons regarding time management, social skills, independent learning, accountability, and devotes individual time with each student in goal-setting sessions.
Students will be fully dual enrolled in SCF their junior year. They will follow a College academic plan that will offer an opportunity to earn their Associate in Arts degree upon graduation.
For sponsorship information
Contact Barbara Bourgoin, 941-752-5398 or BourgoB@SCF.edu.
