FORT LAUDERDALE — Broward County high school students interested in also pursuing a college degree will again have a chance to do so through The College Academy @ BC, a joint initiative of Broward County Public Schools and Broward College.


The academy will hold open houses at Bailey Hall on the Central Campus of Broward College, 3501 S.W. Davie Road, Davie, at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 24, for students whose last names begin with A to L, and at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, for those whose last names begin with M to Z.

The academy offers high school juniors an opportunity to receive, concurrently, a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree from Broward College. Students enrolled in the accelerated college entrance program take both high school and college courses at BC’s Central campus. 

Tuition and books are provided at no cost for academy students, so the freshman and sophomore years of college are free of charge. 

Students are also able to qualify for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program as a Florida Academic Scholar or a Florida Medallion Scholar. 

Last year, all the academy graduates earned AA degrees, along with their high school diploma, and all of them qualified for Bright Futures scholarships.

Now in its 11th year, the academy provides an educational bridge from high school to college for a select group of students who wish to pursue their post-secondary goals through dual enrollment.

The initiative is designed “for students who have the maturity required for college campus life, the discipline to manage their time independently and the intellectual ability to handle the rigors of college work,” according to a Broward Schools press release.

Students share in an enriching cultural experience and campus life, and are able to participate in most of BC’s extensive extracurricular activities.

Broward County residents who are currently in the 10th grade will be accepted to the College Academy through an application process. Eligibility requirements and program benefits will be explained and specific questions from prospective students and their parents will be addressed at the open house. 

Information and a downloadable application packet may be obtained online after Jan. 25 at collegeacademyatbc.org

For more information, call the College Academy at 754-321-6900.