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What's the purpose of the Northwest Florida State College Collegiate High School?

The Collegiate High School is a charter school that is part of the Okaloosa County School District. This innovative public school is operated by Northwest Florida State College and is located on the Niceville campus. The school provides 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students the opportunity to simultaneously earn both a high school diploma and transferable college credit or a college degree. The Collegiate High School is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Is there a cost to Collegiate High School students?

As a public institution, the Collegiate High School is free of charge to students. This includes free college tuition and fees, free college and high school textbooks, free tutoring, and the assignment of a free laptop computer to each student. Collegiate High School students also receive the same student benefits as other college students including free parking, free admission to Raider athletic basketball, baseball and softball games and college-produced cultural events such as the NW Florida Symphony Orchestra and Theater Department productions. Students are expected to provide items such as paper, pencils and personal supplies. Earning two years of college-credit tuition-free is a major cost saving opportunity for students and their parents.

What are the admissions requirements?

Admission is open to any public, private or home school student in Okaloosa County who is of high school age for grades 10, 11 or 12. Applications for admission to the collegiate school may be downloaded from this site or are available at all six NWF State College locations. Call (850) 729-4949 for information. Limits in enrollment based on availability of space in grade, class, building or program may apply. If applicants exceed space in any grade or program area, a random selection process will be employed. Parent(s) and student(s) must sign an Agreement of Participation as part of the application process.

What is the program of study?

The Collegiate High School offers a Collegiate-Dual Enrollment program of study, through which students enroll in regular Northwest Florida State College college courses and earn both high school and college credit for these classes. This program of study meets statutory requirements for both a standard high school diploma and either an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science college degree.

Students may individualize the Associate of Arts degree to meet the specific pre-requisite requirements of more than 200 Florida university bachelor's degree programs through Northwest Florida State College's vast selection of more than 250 different college courses. Students who earn the AA degree are guaranteed admission and a seamless transfer of college credits to meet degree requirements in the Florida university system and may also transfer credits to universities nationwide. The option to earn a technically oriented Associate of Science degree is also available.

A Pre-Collegiate program of study assists students who are not yet prepared to directly enter a full program of college level classes and provides students the opportunity to increase their skills to the college level through an individualized program of study. Upon successful completion of the Pre-Collegiate program of study, students may enter the core Collegiate-Dual Enrollment program of study and enroll in a full slate of college credit classes.

Who decides a student's program of study?

Collegiate school students follow an educational program of study developed by the student, an educational advisor and the student's parent(s).

A comprehensive graduation plan is prepared for each student upon entering the Collegiate High School. The CGP addresses requirements for the high school diplomas AA or AS degrees, and Bright Futures qualifications.

Who teaches Collegiate High School classes?

Northwest Florida State College college faculty members who are teaching specialists in their disciplines teach collegiate school students. These faculty members hold masters or doctoral degrees in their teaching disciplines. All instructors meet or exceed the accreditation standards of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Faculty members are committed to providing the highest quality personalized education for students. The quality of instruction at Northwest Florida State College provides proven results --- Northwest Florida State College graduates consistently earn some of the highest grade point averages in the state when these students transfer to the university level.

How does the Collegiate High School differ from Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or other programs which offer college credit?

In addition to all the advantages mentioned above, such as study in a college environment, the unique use of technology across the curriculum, and the opportunity to earn a college degree tuition-free simultaneous with a high school diploma, the Northwest Florida State College Collegiate High School differs from existing honors or advanced placement programs in several ways.

The Collegiate High School offers a detailed program of study that leads directly to college degree rather than a random acquisition of college credits. The Collegiate High School provides easier access to comprehensive learning support services directly related to a college-level curriculum. The school also offers a wider selection of and access to college-level courses as well as the opportunity to customize a program of study that is specific to a student's upper division major and prerequisites.

Additionally, the advanced subject expertise and academic resources of a college faculty and campus are a distinct advantage for Collegiate High School students.

OW CHS seniors demonstrate mastery of high school and college level skills required for further study or careers through a Senior Capstone Project finalized in the last semester of their senior year.

Other unique benefits include the option of earning a non-transfer technical degree and classroom interaction with a more diverse population of students.

How do the college credits earned transfer to other colleges and universities?

The Florida statewide Articulations agreement provides a statutory guarantee that college transfer credits earned at Northwest Florida State College are acceptable at all of the public universities and colleges in the state. College credits are also accepted at other universities nationwide from California Polytechnic Institute to Notre Dame University, the University of Virginia and the University of Georgia. Northwest Florida State College participates in Florida's common course numbering system which ensures that college courses at the college are the very same courses and course numbers offered at all other Florida colleges and universities.

Seven classes of seniors have graduated from this innovative public school and have successfully transferred to top colleges and universities nationwide. Graduates have received an impressive list of scholarships for universities including the prestigious FSU School of Music, California Poly-Tech, Stetson University, the University of Georgia, University of Virginia, Judson College, Millsaps University, the University of West Florida College of Education, the UWF College of Professional Studies, Marquette University, the University of Alabama, and Auburn University.

When and where do students attend classes?

Collegiate High School students attend at least 180 days per year and follow the college calendar. The hours of the school day may vary, but will normally run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with classes at the Niceville campus.

Can Collegiate High School students enroll in night classes or classes at any Northwest Florida State College campus?

While most classes will be scheduled on the Niceville campus during daytime school hours, the student and their parents, with the approval of an educational advisor, may choose to tailor a program of study to meet individual needs.

What about specialized study to meet a student's interests and goals?

The top-rated programs and facilities of the college provide a unique opportunity for students to tailor their educational program with specialization areas such as computer information sciences, fine and performing arts or other areas. The full scope of all college facilities, such as The Arts Center, computer drafting and design lab, and other state-of-the-art facilities are available to Collegiate High School students. Students are able to customize their program of study to meet the specific transfer prerequisites of more than 200 bachelor's degree programs in the Florida university system. Collegiate school students also have the option to earn an Associate of Science degree in one of more than 30 technical degree programs offered by the college.

Project C² (Career Connections) is a new three-year curriculum enrichment program designed to augment science and math subject study with advanced "learning-by-doing" projects and workforce-related activities. Starting in January 2007, Project C² students will learn how academic theory relates to real-world careers in science, math, and engineering through the Learning-intensive Career Connections (LinC²) Lab, based in the new Northwest Florida State College science facility.

What unique or innovative learning strategies are available at the Collegiate High School?

The school incorporates the use of technology-across-the curriculum, including issuing a personal laptop computer to each student for individual use 24/7 to assist with academic studies. A unique academic seminar experience helps students bridge the gap between high school and college and between college and career. The Collegiate High School is also recognized for an innovative "culture of reading" that integrates reading in unique ways throughout the entire curriculum and has resulted in top FCAT scores. From a Guest Reader program and READ THIS! selection guide to an active student book club, online book reviews, and reading-specific courses and seminars, CHS activities are replete with opportunities to celebrate and cultivate excellent reading and writing skills. Among the most recent "celebrity" guest readers was Homer Hickam (shown photo above right at center), author of Rocket Boys upon which the popular movie October Sky was based. In, addition a Capstone project is required of all seniors.

How  is computer technology used to aid learning at the Collegiate High School?

One of the vital strengths of the Collegiate High School is the innovative use of technology-across-the curriculum. The collegiate school issues laptop computers to collegiate school students to assist with their studies. Web-based instructional support and skill building activities, as well as web-based course information are key components of the Collegiate High School programs. The college offers extensive computerized learning laboratories and classrooms throughout all academic disciplines. For example, all Communications courses are taught entirely in fully computerized classrooms in which each student utilizes a computer for course assignments. The computerized Music Theory and Composition classroom at The Arts Center is one of the most advanced in the nation. Northwest Florida State College's Computer Drafting and Design, Graphic Arts, and other computerized labs are continually upgraded to keep abreast of the latest in technology used in today's workplace.

What type of academic and other support is available to Collegiate High School students?

The course requirements for Collegiate High School students is college level. To help students succeed, the Collegiate High School provides a network of vital support services. Student service specialists dedicated to the Collegiate School and its students monitor student progress on a weekly basis. These direct support staff members provide a 1 to 22 student ratio for personalized attention.

Free tutoring, including tutoring software available to students at school and at home, and supervised study groups are a regular feature of academic support available to support the academic success of Collegiate High School students.

The Academic Research Center in the D Building is an integral part of a student's educational experience and provides study groups which help students continue to develop effective study techniques. The Academic Research Center provides educational advisors and tutors to assist with college classes, career planning, life management skills and preparation for FCAT, PSAT, ACT or SAT. Working toward their graduation requirements, juniors use the Academic Research Center to complete Academic Seminar/Research assigments and seniors work on their capstone projects. The Academic Research Center helps students achieve success in the college environment, provides a sense of community for Collegiate High School students, and helps students make informed decisions about career and other life choices.

Does participation in the Collegiate High School effect eligibility for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship?

Collegiate High School graduates are fully eligible for scholarship awards through the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program just as any other high school graduate. Students need to fulfill the same requirements to receive the award (G.P.A., test scores, community service, etc.) as other Florida high school students.

What student activities and clubs are available?

The Collegiate High School provides a wide array of student activities such as student government, academic team, National Honor Society, yearbook, prom, International Thespian Society, Interact Service Club, Math team, Science Bowl team and more. Students may also participate in activities such as Forensics and Brain Bowl teams, dance line, Phi Theta Kappa college honor society, Show Choir, jazz band, youth symphony orchestra and more. Collegiate High students may also continue to participate in extra-curricular activities, such as band and sports teams, at their regional public high school if these activities fit into the student's daily schedule.

Is transportation available?

Several transportation methods, which may include private providers, education partnerships or parental contracts, are available to Okaloosa County students who live farther than two (2) miles from the school.

What are the indicators that a student may be successful in the Collegiate High School?

Students and parents are encouraged to honestly assess if the student possesses the maturity and commitment necessary to complete college level work. Other indicators of student success include a Grade Point Average (GPA) of a 3.0 on high school work including the 9th grade year. Successful completion of the Florida College Level Entry Placement Test (FCEP) or the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) at the 10th grade level may also be indicators of success in the Collegiate High School program.