Initially students are selected from a lottery
system. To be eligible, students must be entering
9th grade, have a cumulative unweighted 3.0 GPA
in at least one academic high school course taken
as an 8th grader, and have a level 3, 4 or 5 on the
eighth grade Florida Standards Assessment for
English Language Arts. To remain in the program,
Sentinel Scholars must have acceptable college-
ready test scores on the PERT, ACT or SAT, and
maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher at both the high
school and college level.
According to Jennifer Page, NFC Dean of
Academic Affairs, the program also encourages
Sentinel Scholars to be role models to fellow
students and those looking to enter the
program.
“A major focus of the Collegiate Academy is
to provide opportunities for students to excel,
build confidence, and become strong student
leaders at their high school, on our campus,
and ultimately in their community,” said Page.
“Starting our pilot program in Suwannee County
has been a great experience. We appreciate all the
work and dedication that has gone into starting
our first cohort of Sentinel Scholars.”
NFC hopes to expand this program within its
six-county service district with the Suwannee
County pilot program as a guide for best practices.
Suwannee High School students, left to right, Hunter Joyner,
Lesly Cortes, Laura Watson, Michael Williams, Adjahnae
Williams, Gracie Clements, Chyann Thompson and Logan
Lloyd. Cayla Anastasio is not pictured.
W I N T E R 2 0 2 0 | CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE 9