The Health Sciences Collegiate Academy (HSCA) is a four-year program offering Lake County high school students the unprecedented opportunity to explore a career in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) or Health Sciences and fast track their career.

Through a partnership with Lake County Schools and Lake-Sumter State College, HSCA offers a one-of-a-kind experience that lets students enroll in college-level courses. The program incorporates observations and job shadowing at Orlando Health South Lake Hospital. Additional experiential learning opportunities are continually being developed to align with students’ career interests.

Review Application Info
young student looking in a microscope among other students

2024 Information Sessions

Attend a 4-Year Program Info Session

Program Path

9th & 10th Grade

  • Attend high school at East Ridge, Lake Minneola, South Lake, or Pinecrest Lakes Academy Middle High
  • Participate in health career exploration activities at LSSC & Orlando Health South Lake Hospital

11th Grade

  • Attend LSSC’s South Lake campus full time as dual enrolled student
  • Participate in observations at Orlando Health South Lake Hospital

12th Grade

  • Attend LSSC’s South Lake campus full time as dual enrolled student
  • Participate in job shadowing at Orlando Health South Lake Hospital
  • Special recognition of academy completers

Eligibility

9th Grade Enrollment Criteria

  • Be an 8th grader entering high school in Lake County
  • Earn a 3.0 unweighted GPA or higher in middle school courses
  • Submit HSCA application
  • Complete an interview with HSCA

11th Grade Continuation Criteria

  • Have an unweighted high school GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Have qualifying scores on the PERT
  • Be in good conduct standing
  • Attend August orientation
STEM Track
Health Care

Application Process 

  1. Attend an Information Session 
    Please plan to attend one of our informational sessions in January. Students currently in 8th grade at South Lake County middle schools, Pinecrest Lakes Academy Middle High, Imagine South Lake Charter, and Minneola Charter School with an unweighted 3.0 GPA or higher will receive a letter to their home address, and students will receive a reminder card at school.
  1. Complete an Application 
    The HSCA application contains five parts: Admission Process and Agreement, a Writing Sample, a Report Card, two Teacher Recommendation forms, and the Honor Code.
  1. Group Interview 
    HSCA will work with your middle school to set up a 15-minute group interview. The group interview is completed with 2-3 other applicants from your school. Students will be interviewed by 2-3 staff members from the HSCA partner institutions.