The School District of Lee County and the University of Florida (UF) today announced an articulation agreement that will provide qualified high school juniors and seniors in the district’s 15 high schools with the only opportunity in Southwest Florida to register for dual-enrollment courses through UF. 68 students have already signed up to start classes in August.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the University of Florida to offer our students a direct pipeline to one of the nation’s top public research universities,” said Dr. Nathan Shaker, Chief Academic Officer for the School District of Lee County. “This agreement aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing diverse, rigorous, and competitive pathways that prepare our students for global success. Our students are more than ready to meet the challenge of UF’s top-tier curriculum.”
Through the UF Dual Enrollment program, eligible students can choose from a robust catalog of fully online undergraduate courses taught directly by world-class University of Florida faculty. The courses at UF will be provided at no cost to participating families, representing substantial financial savings on future postsecondary education. Earned credits fulfill requirements at UF and can be transferred to other public and private postsecondary institutions nationwide at their discretion. By immersing themselves in this demanding environment, students do more than prepare for the future; they actively prove their capacity for high-level academic achievement.
“We are excited to welcome Lee County to UF Dual Enrollment as we continue expanding opportunities for students across the state, from the Florida Keys to the Panhandle,” said Nico Rose, Assistant Provost and Senior Director for Teaching and Technology at the University of Florida. “By connecting high school students with rigorous, innovative UF courses, this partnership contributes to the future talent pipeline for our state by supporting college readiness and strengthening pathways to higher education.”
To qualify for the program, students must maintain a minimum 3.6 cumulative unweighted high school GPA and meet competitive standardized test score thresholds on the SAT, ACT, or CLT exams. The dual enrollment agreement with UF expands upon the dual enrollment opportunities available to students at Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida SouthWestern State College, and Barry University to earn college credits, for free, while in high school.
