FSU Panama City Collegiate School Achieves Top Grades

News Summary

Florida State University Panama City’s Collegiate School has received an ‘A’ grade for the second consecutive year, highlighting its focus on high educational standards and student success. Opening in August 2023, it serves nearly 200 students and emphasizes dual enrollment and career technical education, with future plans including renovating facilities and expanding programs such as STEAM camps for younger students.

Panama City, Florida – Florida State University Panama City’s Collegiate School has once again received an ‘A’ grade from the state of Florida, marking its second consecutive year of excellence. This achievement underscores the school’s commitment to high educational standards and student success.

The Collegiate School, which opened its doors in August 2023, operates as a developmental laboratory high school focusing on dual enrollment and career technical education. Established with a start-up grant of $7.6 million from Triumph Gulf Coast, the school offers a unique learning environment that caters to student needs.

This academic year, the Collegiate School is serving nearly 200 students across the 9th and 10th grades, reflecting significant growth since its inaugural year. The school originally admitted 100 ninth-graders, with an additional cohort of 100 freshmen anticipated to join in 2024. It prioritizes enrollment for children from military families but also welcomes students from various middle schools within Bay County.

To determine school grades, the Florida Department of Education evaluates several factors, including student achievement, learning gains, and both college and career accomplishments. These grading systems are designed to provide parents and the public with a clear measure of school performance.

Debbi Whitaker, the school’s director, noted that the ‘A’ grade achieved indicates the collective efforts of students, families, faculty, and staff, reinforcing the school’s position as the highest-ranked educational institution in Bay County. The school’s continuous dedication to high educational outcomes is evident as it prepares to further enhance its facilities and resources.

The original cohort of students, now in the 11th grade, will be transitioning into renovated facilities located on the FSU Panama City campus, which are expected to be ready for the upcoming academic year starting August 11.

In addition to classroom learning, the Collegiate School is planning to host its second Summer Institute in June 2025, in collaboration with the FSU Panama City STEM Institute. This engaging initiative will offer day camps for students who have completed grades seven and eight, focusing on STEAM – which encompasses science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

The Summer Institute will feature a variety of camps, such as:

• CSI-TCS Unit (June 9-12 and July 7-10) at $140, which includes murder mystery role-play alongside essential STEM skills.
• Creative Fusion on various dates at $70, aimed at grades 6-10 and focusing on painting and drawing techniques.
• Actor’s Workshop (June 10) is free for students to learn acting techniques.
• The Science of Flight (June 16-19 and July 14-17) at $140, covering the design of air travel and rocket launching processes.

The Collegiate School is committed to providing diverse career options through its specialized programs, including tracks in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, ensuring students are prepared for the future workforce.

Registration for new students will open in October, allowing families the opportunity to enroll their children for the subsequent academic year. As the school continues to expand its offerings and facilities, it remains dedicated to fostering a nurturing and academically rigorous environment for all its students.

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• News Herald: FSU Panama City Collegiate High School Receives ‘A’ Grade
• Wikipedia: Florida State University
• News Herald: FSU Panama City Programs Funded
• Google Search: Florida education system
• My Panhandle: FSU Panama City Announces Second Summer Institute
• Google Scholar: Education programs Florida
• WJHG: Collegiate School FSU PC Adds New Grade Level
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida State University
• News Herald: Summertime Fun and Learning at Collegiate School FSU-PC
• Google News: Florida education news