EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM
at Zephyrhills High School
The Early College Program at Zephyrhills High School gives students the opportunity to take college classes and earn their A.A. or A.S. degree while attending high school.
This structured high school acceleration program is designed to meet the student’s individual needs, with support from a dedicated counselor, tutoring, and group study sessions. Enrolled students will attend Zephyrhills High School and engage in dual enrollment coursework through Pasco eSchool and PHSC.
The program will begin in 9th grade with students enrolling in some Dual Enrollment coursework in combination with high school classes. By 11th grade, Early College students will be taking Dual Enrollment coursework full-time through a variety of modalities such as on campus at ZHS, virtually via Pasco eSchool and at PHSC (on campus and/or online) with the goal of earning an AA degree by graduation.
Program Requirements
Current 8th grade students rising to 9th grade must:
- Complete a student interview
- Be selected through the school choice lottery
Current 9th grade students rising to 10th grade must:
- Complete a student interview
- Monitor a 3.0 GPA*
- Be selected through the school choice lottery
*Students with a 2.5 – 3.0 GPA will be enrolled on a probationary status
11th and 12th grade “official” Early College students:
- New students must apply through the Pasco Pathways Application Window
- New and returning students must complete a PHSC application
- Final selections for students entering in 11th or 12th grade are determined through the school choice lottery
Criteria set by statute and PHSC include:
- Be enrolled as a student in a Florida public or nonpublic secondary school (grades 6-12), or in a home education program
- Have a 3.0 unweighted high school grade point average (GPA) to enroll in college credits, or a 2.0 unweighted high school GPA to enroll in career dual enrollment courses
- For college credits, achieve a minimum score on a common placement test
