Early College

Early College: Earn your high school diploma and an A.A. Degree

This full-time program allows students to spend their high school junior and senior years attending all classes at SPC campuses. Here, they work toward simultaneously earning a high school diploma from their assigned school and an Associate in Arts degree from SPC. There is no cost for application, tuition, or required textbooks.

Students attend all classes at St. Petersburg College campuses and follow the SPC academic calendar. Enrollment is capped at 125 students (including juniors and seniors) per campus – Clearwater, Seminole and Tarpon Springs.

LEARN MORE AT OUR INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR THE 2025-26 ACADEMIC YEAR

Virtual via Zoom

Early College, Full-Time Program - Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 - 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Are you currently in 10th grade and looking at an option to earn your high school diploma and your associate in arts degree at the same time?

In-person

Early College for current sophomores (Class of 2027) - Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024
Starts promptly at 6 p.m. at SPC Clearwater Campus
2465 Drew Street, Clearwater / SS building

High School Families:
We are excited to present you with an opportunity to get a jump start on qualifying for the Dual Enrollment, Early College, and Early Admission programs for the next school year. This opportunity is made possible through a partnership between St. Petersburg College and Pinellas County Schools. You could earn high school and college credits simultaneously at no cost to you!

Early College Information Session Documents

• Early College Checklist
• How Do I Obtain an SPC ID Number
• College Course Placement
• PERT Instructions
• HOPE Early College Flyer
• Differences Between High School and College
• Accessibility Services Dual Enrollment/Early College/Early Admission Students

ENROLLMENT DETAILS

• View Early College FAQs

Which program is right for you?
Compare SPC's Dual Enrollment, Early College and Early Admission programs

Who is eligible?

Students who live in Pinellas County and are entering 11th grade in Pinellas County public schools, private schools and home-education programs, and who meet the qualifying high school GPA and College Placement Test score requirements

What's required to enroll?

• Unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Satisfactory scores on the College Placement Test (CPT/PERT) or PSAT/SAT/ACT/CLT.
• Completion of the high school physical education (HOPE), Biology, Geometry and World History graduation requirements.
• Private school and home-education students will be required to enroll in a public high school to participate.
• Completion and submission of the Early College Program Application and current transcripts.
• Enrollment in a minimum of 15 credit hours each term, leading to simultaneous completion of the high school diploma and the A.A. degree.
• Maintain at least a 2.0 (C average) college GPA.
• Transportation to classes at SPC.

Early College students no longer attend classes at their high school, but remain enrolled in their assigned high school and can participate in the school's extracurricular activities while taking classes at SPC.

View the Student Performance Contract

How to Apply

1. You must attend an information session. Check this website for upcoming dates and times.
2. If you haven't previously applied to be a St. Petersburg College student, complete an SPC application for "High Schools Programs Student." This will generate your SPC ID number.
3. Complete the College Placement Test. Register for a testing session via the following link stpe.co/PERT
4. Complete the online program application for Early College by the established deadlines. 
5. Submit all required items (during the application period) by the established January/February deadlines.

Early College Program Support

The ECP classroom is a place that provides support, advisement, and a quiet study environment when students are on campus. It also houses the ECP Academic Counselor along with numerous computers for research and study purposes. Students are invited to utilize the classroom and the resources available throughout the school day.

Resources available for Early College students:

• Weekly seminars discussing academic success, college and career information/planning, Bright Futures Scholarship, other financial aid information
• Daily sign-in with academic counselor
• Study groups
• Development of goal setting, goal monitoring and self-advocacy skills
• One-on-one advising
• Credit Checks are shared each semester to monitor successful completion of high school and the AA Degree graduation requirements
• Strong culture of positive peer support
• And much more

interested in staying at SPC after high school?

If you are currently enrolled in high school and want to continue your college education at SPC after you’ve met all your high school graduation requirements, please complete the SPC Supplemental Application and follow the necessary steps upon completion to becoming a postsecondary student at SPC.

Early College Contacts