The Health Sciences Collegiate Academy provides a fast-track program to a college degree. The Early College Academy is a structured dual enrollment program that provides students an opportunity to acquire their associate’s degree or college credit certificate through a cohort class model. Students join the program with a group of students and take a predetermined sequence of courses that will eventually lead to an associate’s degree or certificate. The HSCA Early College Academy is the result of a partnership between Lake-Sumter State College, Lake County Schools, Pinecrest Academy, South Lake Hospital, the University of Central Florida and are partnering with UF Health and Advent Health. The HSCA has two entry points students that are raising 9th graders and raising 11th graders.
Early College Deadlines 2024/2025
Early College Deadlines 2025/2026
Info Sessions
HSCA Prep
Wednesday, January 15 ─ 6 PM – 7:30 PM (South Lake Campus)
Wednesday, February 12 ─ 6 PM – 7:30 PM (South Lake Campus)
2-Year Program Info Session
Monday, February 3 ─ 6 PM – 7:30 PM (Leesburg Campus)
Tuesday, February 18 ─ 6 PM – 7:30 PM (South Lake Campus)
Tuesday, February 25 ─ 6 PM – 7:30 PM (South Lake Campus)
Tuesday, March 18 ─ 6 PM – 7:30 PM (Leesburg Campus)
The application deadline for the 2-year HSCA program is April 18th, 2025.
9th - 12th grade
- Currently enrolled at a school within Lake County
- Home education students are required to enroll in their zoned high school to have the program paid for by Lake County Schools.
- Currently in 8th grade or 10th grade
- 3.0 unweighted high school GPA
- Academic college readiness as demonstrated through scores on a common placement test, to continue participation in 11th grade.
- Credits can be transferred to all state colleges and universities in Florida
- The HSCA program explores careers in STEM and health sciences through hands-on activities and early exposure to college courses
- Hospital observation and job-shadowing opportunities
- Provides a 4-year program for eligible 9th graders and a 2-year program for eligible 11th graders
Hugh Hermann – Director of Dual Enrollment
Jessica Serrano – Assistant Director of Dual Enrollment and HSCA (North Lake)
Anthony Ritter – Assistant Director of Dual Enrollment and HSCA (South Lake)
- Students complete an A.A. through LSSC
- Graduates are guaranteed admission to UCF upon completion of A.A.
Free