FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the purpose of Edison Collegiate High School?
The Collegiate High School is a public charter school that is sponsored by the Charlotte County School District. This innovative public school is operated by Edison State College and is located on the Charlotte campus. The school will provide 9th-12th grade students the opportunity to simultaneously earn both a high school diploma and an A.A. (Associate of Arts) degree in a small, nurturing environment.
What is a Charter School?
Charter schools are public schools of choice. They are very popular—and among the fastest growing school choice options in Florida. Charter schools are largely free to innovate, and often provide more effective programs and choice to diverse groups of students. Since 1996, the number of charter schools in Florida has grown from 5 to 358 in 2007-2008. Charter school student enrollment for 2007-2008 was well over 100,000 students. Over 20 new charter schools have opened in the 2007-2008 school year.
What is the application process?
Parents and students may download an application from the website: http://echs.edison.edu or attend one of our informational meetings and we can provide an application packet for you.
What are the requirements for admission?
- Must have successfully completed the 8th grade.
- Must make an appointment (941-637-5632) and take the FCLEPT (Florida College Level Entry Placement Test) and write a short essay.
- Turn in or mail a completed application packet to Edison Collegiate High School, 26300 Airport Road, Punta Gorda, FL 33950 before the March 20, 2009 deadline
When will I be notified if I am accepted?
Applicants that turn in a completed application packet prior to the March 20, 2009 deadline will be notified of their acceptance on or before April 1, 2009.
How many students can be accepted?
ECHS can only admit 100 9th grade students each year. If the number of completed application packets turned in on or before March 20, 2009 exceeds the 100 capacity, all applicants will have an equal chance of being admitted through a random lottery selection process. Students not admitted will then be placed on a wait list.
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, and free tutoring. Collegiate High School students also receive the same student benefits as other college students including free parking. 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.
How does the Collegiate High School differ from Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or other programs which offer college credit?
Edison Collegiate High School differs from existing honors or advanced placement programs in several ways. In addition to all the advantages mentioned above, Edison Collegiate High School offers study in a college environment, the unique use of technology across the curriculum, and the opportunity to earn a college degree tuition-free simultaneously with a high school diploma.
The Collegiate High School offers a detailed program of study that leads directly to a 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.
ECHS seniors will 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.
Are there other Collegiate High Schools in Florida?
Yes, Edison Collegiate High School will model its programs after four existing collegiate high schools in Florida, all of which have demonstrated outstanding performance: St. Petersburg Collegiate High School (St. Petersburg College), Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School (Polk Community College), Northwest Florida Collegiate High School (Northwest Florida State College), and Indian River Charter High School (Indian River State College).
**Seven classes of seniors have graduated from Northwest Florida Collegiate High School, a collegiate high school in which ECHS is modeled after, 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.
Useful Websites:
St. Petersburg Collegiate High School http://www.spcollege.edu/spchs/
Northwest Florida Collegiate High School http://www.nwfcollegiatehigh.org/
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 Edison State College are acceptable at all of the public universities and colleges in the state. Edison 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.