CF and Marion County Public Schools partner to expand dual enrollment opportunities

CF Collegiate Academy — a new and expanded early college enrollment program offered through a Marion County Public Schools and College of Central Florida partnership — starts next fall.

A recent press release quoting CF and MCPS officials indicates 8th grade students can apply for the CF Collegiate Academy as a magnet program and complete required high school courses in the 9th and 10th grades while at their “base school” and then become “full-time dual enrolled student at the CF Ocala campus or online in grades 11 and 12.”

The press release states students in the Academy “choose from an A.A. (Associate in Arts)  or A.S. (Associate in Science) pathway and make as much progress toward the degree as possible prior to high school graduation. They will have access to all of the resources, support services and engagement opportunities offered at CF.”

Students in the program “can also partner with local employers to support work-based learning experiences such as internships, shadowing, co-ops and apprenticeships,” according to the press release.

The release indicates students in the program seeking to continue their education can “benefit from CF’s formal transfer partnerships with Florida A&M University, University of Central Florida, University of Florida Online and University of South Florida.”

The CF Collegiate Academy program is “no cost” to students or families and students, according to the release.

Diane Gullett, school superintendent, commented on the program in the press release.

“The CF Collegiate Academy opportunity will allow students to choose the best pathway. A student may work toward an Associate in Arts for the college transfer pathway or students may choose the Associate in Science, which leads to a career upon completion,” she stated.

CF President Jim Henningsen stated in the release he is “excited about this expansion of dual enrollment.”

Employment opportunities connected to the AS degree include agribusiness, criminal justice, early childhood education, emergency medical services, engineering technology, equine studies, computer information technology, supply chain management and more, according to the press release.

An Associate of Science in equine studies is an example of a program that can lead to local employment. Florida has about 100,000 thoroughbred horses and 75% are located in Marion County, according to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website, fdacs.gov

“Florida is home to over 600 thoroughbred horse farms and training centers and over 1,300 thoroughbred owners, breeders and trainers” who make a “multi-billion dollar investment” in the area,  the website states.

Students with an interest in programs like nursing can complete prerequisites to make a “seamless transition into the Associate in Science program upon high school graduation,” the press release indicates.

Ann Hembrook, the school district's senior executive director for student pathways, said the new program is all about opportunities, starting with students in the 8th grade.

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“CF Collegiate Academy will allow 8th grade students an opportunity to indicate their interest in the CF Collegiate Academy and engage in CF/MCPS activities and 9th and 10th grade students a chance to understand what (college) classes will look like,” she stated.

Information on the CF Collegiate Academy will be available at the Marion County Public Schools' School Choice Expo from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 9 at the World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala, Expo Center 2. The expo is free and open to the public.

More at http://www.CF.edu/CollegiateAcademy (http://www.cf.edu/CollegiateAcademy)

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: College of Central Florida and school district expand dual enrollment