It’s high school graduation time again in the Tampa Bay area.

While most seniors are preparing for college, dozens in Manatee County are finishing up way ahead of schedule.

“I was fortunate enough to do both high school and college credits at the same time,” said Jacob Sprague, 18.

This week, Sprague joined 56-seniors from the State College of Florida Collegiate School who received their high school diploma on one day and their associate degree the next.

State College of Florida Collegiate School is a technology-oriented, tuition-free public charter school located at State College of Florida Bradenton. It gives students the chance to graduate simultaneously with a high school diploma from SCFCS and an associate degree from SCF.  

Jourdan McKinnis, a student who wants to be a doctor, said it’s an opportunity for anyone who has a drive to succeed.

“I don’t think you have to be super smart; it’s all about how you apply yourself,” McKinnis said. “If you work hard, you can do good.”

Not only are the students getting a quality education, but they’re also learning unique study habits and how to work independently.

These are skills that will prepare them for a college.

“I really learned a lot of study habits and time management," Sprague said. "And professors treat you just like any other college student.”

“I feel like I’m very prepared for college now,” McKinnis said.  “I know how to study and I know how to interact with other college kids.”

SCFCS is the only charter school on a college campus in Manatee County. It opened in fall 2010 with sixth and seventh grades and has expanded through the years to include grades 6-12.  

Starting in the 11th grade, students enroll in the Accelerated College Program to receive guidance and support from SCFCS while taking college courses at SCF.

They are able to be involved in clubs and activities on campus along with other SCF students.

All SCFCS 11th- and 12th-grade students attend college classes at SCF. The 57 seniors who graduated this week are the first class from the school to do so.

“They came into our program and it’s a new program, so it took a lot of faith on their part,” said Kelly Monod, SCFSC's head of school. "But their success is making us so proud of them and creating a successful program.”

As an added bonus, a partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) provides a scholarship that covers tuition and fees for SCFCS graduates to continue to FGCU for a baccalaureate degree.

While many take advantage of this opportunity, others go to other universities of their choice such as Florida, Florida State or Central Florida.

To get into the SCFCS program, parents of children wanting to attend have to fill out an application. Eligible students are chosen through a lottery system.

Students entering 11th grade must perform well on a college entrance exam and have an unweighted grade point average of 3.0.