The Collegiate School at Florida State University, Panama City, is a developmental laboratory charter high school that opened for our inaugural class of 9th graders in August of 2023. TCS will expand to add additional grades each year. By 2026, TCS will offer all high school grades for students in Bay County and surrounding areas.
The Collegiate School will offer advanced academic coursework, industry certifications, and career exploration pathways to prepare students for the demands of a global economy. Students may qualify to dual enroll at Florida State University and complete high school coursework to meet their career goals and academic needs. Other course options include honors and Advanced Placement (AP) as well as classes for standard high school credit.
The Collegiate School advantage is the opportunity to participate in optimized high school coursework for post-secondary success, individually planned with the assistance of guidance counselors, FSU admissions officers, families, and school support staff. Each semester, these planning sessions allow students and their families to jointly plan and monitor progress toward academic and career goals within a collegiate high school environment.
The Collegiate School is sponsored by the College of Education at Florida State University and operates in collaboration with the university. Students who qualify will have the opportunity to Dual Enroll at FSUPC. Dual Enrolled classes will be taught by FSUPC instructors. This is an excellent opportunity for students to learn how to navigate the academic and behavioral expectations of a college campus.
The Collegiate School will be a site for research and innovative educational opportunities for students and families.
Developmental Research Laboratory schools are defined by state statute and are designed to achieve the following aims:
- To be the vehicle of research, demonstration, and evaluation regarding management, teaching, and learning,
- To emphasize mathematics, science, computer science, and foreign languages,
- To enhance instruction and research in such specialized subjects by using the resources available on a state university campus, while also providing an education in nonspecialized subjects, and
- To serve diverse student populations, including military families.
Optimized high school coursework will be scheduled individually with each family, including standard, honors, Advanced Placement, and dual enrollment options. Class selections are subject to student qualifications and academic goals. All coursework aligns with Florida High School graduation requirements. For more information, see our Academic Plans.
The Collegiate School will be located at 2430 St. Andrews Blvd. Panama City, Florida.
Any student entering 9th grade in 2023 may apply to The Collegiate School.
The 2023 application window closed on February 28, 2023. We are currently accepting applications for 9th grade for the 2024-2025 school year. Military families may apply year-round using the military application.
Once the application window has closed, a random lottery will be conducted if applications exceed capacity. Military students will be prioritized for enrollment and can apply year-round.
After the lottery, families will receive an invitation to enroll. Students who do not receive an enrollment invitation will be placed on the waiting list.
Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will be accepted beginning January 9, 2024.
When transferring to a new community, the need for stress-free educational transitions is vital. To assist, The Collegiate School will provide military families with priority enrollment and individualized academic advising for students.
While academic opportunities are The Collegiate School's central focus, they are not the only priority. Students at The Collegiate School will have the opportunity to participate in various electives, career exploration opportunities, student interest groups, and clubs on a daily and weekly.
Athletics will follow the Florida High School Athletic Association guidelines. Students will be permitted to participate in athletics and other activities at their home zone school that are not offered at The Collegiate School.
The Collegiate School is a free developmental laboratory charter school. The only fees associated with school attendance are supply fees which are paid at the beginning of the school year or in quarterly increments. As with other schools, field trips involve a cost, but no tuition is involved for our students, including dual enrollment classes. Financial assistance is available for students and families, upon request.
If you are interested in becoming a part of The Collegiate School, please apply online.
Although The Collegiate School does not provide transportation, students who need transportation may speak with our administrative team to discuss their options.
School lunches will be available for purchase. Students who qualify for free or reduced price lunch will receive meals at a reduced rate or no cost. Students may also bring a lunch from home to eat at school.
Although uniforms are not required, The Collegiate School will have a dress code in place to ensure appearance demonstrates school pride and respect for self and peers.