St. Petersburg College Early College Program
Principles of Participation

As an element of the admissions process, each parent and student of the Early College Program must sign an agreement committing their adherence to the following principles of participation. (Here is the PDF version of these principles that can be downloaded and signed and a free copy of Acrobat Reader if you need it.)

1. I understand that as an Early College Program student, the course work taken on the college level will have the same depth, breadth, rigor and pace for all students regardless of age or grade placement.
2. I understand that Early College Program students in college level courses are subject to the same standards, policies, and responsibilities as other college students unless otherwise restricted by federal, state or local requirements.
3. I understand that curriculum content, evaluation, and selection of appropriate instructional materials are the prerogative of the college instructor and will not differ for dually enrolled Early College Program students from that presented for traditional college students.
4. I understand that St. Petersburg College (SPC) is an open campus and that I will be attending classes with non-high school aged students and that I may encounter students of a variety of ages and backgrounds while on the SPC campus.
5. I understand that the Early College Program teacher(s) or the Director of the Early College Program are the first point of contact for parents who wish to discuss academic progress in a college course or request information about school or classroom activities.
6. I understand that high academic standards are expected of all students. Students entering the 11th grade must have met all required scores on the College Placement Test or have taken and passed the exit examination for areas needing remediation. Students entering the 11th or 12th grade must have an un-weighted high school GPA of at least 3.0 and maintain a 2.5 GPA in all college course work.
7. I understand that I cannot DROP a college course. If a student is withdrawn from a course due to absences and a “W” is assigned to that course on the college transcript, the high school transcript will reflect an “F” for the corresponding high school course.
8. I understand that, if selected for admission to the Early College Program, I must agree to abide by all SPC policies and procedures including, but not limited to the Pinellas County School Board Code of Student Conduct.
9. Early College Program students may participate in athletics and other activities of their high school but must abide by the Student Code of Conduct. If an Early College student violates the Student Code of Conduct, participation in future high school activities may be restricted.
10. I understand that completion of high school graduation requirements does not guarantee completion of an AA degree. To receive an AA degree I understand that I must meet all program requirements identified in the SPC Catalog at the time of my initial admission.
11. I understand that I will be expected to sign an agreement outlining my responsibility for all instructional materials, textbooks, and equipment issued to me. Any textbooks or instructional materials issued to me must be returned to the Follett’s Bookstore, on the SPC Clearwater or Seminole campuses, at the end of the semester in which the materials were issued. Students agree to use the textbook voucher system to purchase textbooks for college courses; students who use their own funds to purchase textbooks will not be reimbursed by the Early College Program. Recommended materials or optional supplies are purchased at the student’s own expense. The Early College Program does not provide support or supplemental materials or other items considered consumables such as art or photography supplies.
12. I agree to attend school regularly and I understand that I must be enrolled in a minimum of zero (0) and the maximum of two (2) high school level courses, and a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of six (6) college level courses for a total of six (6) courses per semester. This requirement will be fulfilled through a combination of instructional activities in college and high school classes.
13. I understand that I can not meet the high school World History requirement through college coursework, and that I must take and pass the World History class through Florida Virtual in order to qualify for a high school diploma.
14. Because the Clearwater and Seminole campuses are open campus environments, should I choose to leave campus for any reason, I fully understand that SPC, its officers, trustees, employees and agents are released from all liability, claims of demands for any damage, loss, or injury to me, my property, or parent’s property in connection with my actions.

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