Start College Early

Students participating in the PHSC Early College Program (ECP) must meet with/consult their school counselor each semester prior to registering for classes. The school counselor will ensure that students are meeting high school graduation requirements.

Each semester, in order to register for classes, ECP students will complete an Early College Program Student Performance Contract with the required signatures and the list of courses approved by the school counselor. Students will register with a PHSC academic advisor based on the number of credit hours earned/enrolled in according to the PHSC Academic Calendar.

Participating Grade Levels

Eleventh (11th) and twelfth (12th) grade students may be eligible to participate.

Eligible Students

Students must be part of Pasco County Schools’ Early College Program at either Fivay or Zephyrhills high schools and qualify with a 3.0 or above unweighted high school GPA  Students throughout the county may select those programs during school choice.  

Test Scores Required

Students must place into English Composition (ENC1101) and into Intermediate Math (MAT1033, MAT1100).  

Number of Seats Available

Each Early College Program high school (Fivay, Zephyrhills and DaySpring Academy) has an entry seat cap of 125.  

Enrollment Requirements

Students must be enrolled full time – in a minimum of 12 credits (maximum of 16) in fall and spring semesters. A maximum of 8 credit hours may be taken in the summer between 11th and 12th grades. 

Program Focus

Early College Program participants must prioritize courses applicable as general education core courses under s. 1007.25 for an associate degree or a baccalaureate degree.

Students interested in participating in the PHSC Early College Program should consult their public school counselor for additional academic qualifications for participation and deadlines regarding the application process. All applications for Pasco County Schools will select and submit to the PHSC Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Management the completed Early College Program student applications by May 16 in each academic year, preceding the fall term enrollment period Students must take a Florida Common Placement test prior to applying to the PHSC Early College Program. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance prior to the end of their current high school spring semester.