Gulf Coast Community Foundation has awarded the State College of Florida Foundation (SCFF) a $40,000 grant for the new State College of Florida Collegiate School (SCFCS) opening in the Fall of 2019 in Venice.
The grant will help the Collegiate school recruit and support first-generation college students and their families, obtain full enrollment of 400 students in grades 9-12 in the 2022-23 academic year, and assist the Collegiate school in obtaining postsecondary partnerships with colleges such as Florida Gulf Coast University and University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.
“This grant will allow students in south Sarasota County to attend a highly sought-after collegiate school where they will have the resources to excel and graduate with an Associate in Arts degree in addition to their high school diploma,” said Cassandra Holmes, executive director of SCFF.
About 100 high school juniors will get the first opportunity to enroll at SCFCS in Venice during the school’s inaugural year. The Sarasota County School Board unanimously approved the application for the new charter school over the summer. In its second year, the school will boast both juniors and seniors. The Collegiate school’s goal is to help students have high achievement rates by offering them access to college resources on campus, including technology, and academic coaching and advising. The focus is on showing students how to succeed in rigorous environments, overcome obstacles and reach their goals.
To learn about additional opportunities to support the Collegiate school or other campaigns at SCF, visit SCF-Foundation.org, or contact Barbara Bourgoin at BourgoB@SCF.edu or 941-752-5398.