Early College

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

High School Families

We are thrilled to offer you an exciting opportunity to get a head start on qualifying for the Early College program for the upcoming school year. This initiative is a collaboration between St. Petersburg College and Pinellas County Schools, allowing you to earn both high school and college credits at no cost.

This full-time program enables students to spend their junior and senior years of high school attending classes at SPC campuses. During this time, they work towards earning a high school diploma from their assigned school and an Associate in Arts degree from SPC. There are no fees for applications, tuition, or required textbooks.

Students will attend all classes at St. Petersburg College campuses and follow the SPC academic calendar. Enrollment is limited to 125 students per campus, including juniors and seniors and is offered at Clearwater, Seminole, and Tarpon Springs locations.

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

If you have attended one of our November information sessions, thank you!

Early College Information Session Documents

• Early College Checklist (Early College Application link can be found on page 2)
• 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

To learn more about the Early College program at our information session for the 2025-26 academic year, please sign up to either of the following sessions:

IN-PERSON
Early College for current sophomores (class of 2027) Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
Starts promptly at 6 p.m. at SPC Seminole Campus, 9200 113^th St N, Seminole/ Room #UP 160-Digitorium.

VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM
The sessions begin at different times. You will need to pre-register to attend using the link below.  Please register even if you are unable to attend a session so that you may receive the recorded presentation(s).

Early College Full-Time Program - Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 - Starts promptly at 5:15- 6:15p.m.
Are you currently in 10th grade and looking for an option to earn your high school diploma and your associate in arts degree at the same time? Please use this link to pre-register for this online session.

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

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