Graduating with a Head Start at SPCHS

The first class of students from St. Petersburg Collegiate High School’s (SPCHS) Downtown STEM Campus graduated this spring. These young scholars earned not only their high school diplomas but also associate degrees from St. Petersburg College that will help prepare them for further education and, eventually, promising careers.

A scientific approach

Established in Fall 2022, SPCHS-Downtown is the third location for SPCHS, with the first campus opening at the St. Petersburg/ Gibbs Campus in 2004 and the second in 2019 at the Tarpon Springs Campus.

The downtown location was designed with a clear mission: to equip students with the skills and credentials necessary to enter high-wage, high-demand STEM fields. Different from its sister campuses, SPCHS-Downtown focuses on early preparation for STEM careers, providing students with a unique blend of high school, college and workforce training.

Dr. Raquel Hairston, Principal of the Downtown Campus, reflected on the tremendous growth the location and its students have experienced.

“The most rewarding part of seeing this first class graduate has been witnessing the incredible journey of our students and the trust placed in us by their families,” Hairston said. “When we launched this new program, there were uncertainties about how the associate of science degree would transfer to the State University System of Florida. Despite these unknowns, our students and parents believed in SPC and supported our vision and committed to this innovative path.”

Overcoming obstacles

Like with any high school, SPCHS-Downtown students have faced challenges. This graduating class had an especially interesting senior year, weathering back-to-back hurricanes in Fall 2024 not long after the term had started.

“Many of our students experienced personal hardships, including the devastating loss of their homes and belongings. Balancing their academic responsibilities with the demands of recovery was no easy feat,” Hairston said.

Despite the unexpected hurdles courtesy of Mother Nature, the senior class persevered, worked hard and stayed focused on their studies. All 21 students maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher, and nearly all of them will be transferring to four-year universities or continuing their education at SPC.

As the inaugural class prepares to step into the next phase of their academic and professional journeys, their achievements stand as a shining example of what is possible when education adapts to the evolving needs of students and the workforce.

WHERE THE CLASS OF 2025 IS HEADED

• Auburn University
• Florida Atlantic University
• Florida Polytechnic University
• Florida State
• Indiana University Bloomington
• Rollins College
• St. Petersburg College
• St. Thomas University
• Stetson University
• University of Central Florida
• University of Florida
• University of San Francisco
• University of South Florida
• University of Tampa