Associate in Arts
The Villages Early College Academy
Empower Your Future: Discover The Villages Early College Academy
The Villages Early College Academy is an accelerated program offered through a partnership between Lake-Sumter State College and The Villages High School. Students can earn credits toward an AA degree while participating in a specialized high school academy. They may take up to 18 credits per semester, with courses available online or at The Villages Charter High School. The program begins in the fall of junior year and lasts two years, featuring events like the Early College Summit and Early College Day.
Overview
The Villages Early College Academy is an accelerated academic program in a partnership between Lake-Sumter State College and The Villages High School. Students in the program are able to take courses towards an AA degree while engaging in a specialized academy provided by the high school. Students in the Early College Academy may take up to 18 credits per semester.
Program Highlights
- Transferable Credits: Credits can be transferred to all state colleges and universities in Florida.
- STEM and Health Sciences Focus: Explore careers in STEM and health sciences through hands-on activities and early college exposure.
- Hospital Observation and Job-Shadowing: Gain real-world experience through observation and job-shadowing opportunities.
- Local Partnerships: UCF DirectConnect guaranteed admission upon completion. Orlando Health, UF Health, and Advent Health.
- Lakehawk Journey: Any College Credit Certificate not exceeding 24 credit hours may be used to satisfy elective credits.
- Flexible Learning Options: Almost all courses in Leesburg and Clermont are offered online and on campus.
Related LSSC Programs
- Dual Enrollment
- Early Admission
- Criminal Justice Early College Academy
- Engineering Tech Early Career Academy
- The Villages Early College Academy AICE-to-AA Academy
Important Note: Must be a senior in high school and have completed 3 college courses.
Program Length
2 years.
Program Cost
Tuition is 100% free.
Scholarships
Students graduating from high school and enrolling at LSSC may qualify for other scholarships offered through the State of Florida. You will be notified of your eligibility after you apply to the College.
Learn MoreFinancial Aid
There are many options to finance your education. You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work-Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships. For more information and how to apply, please visit the Financial Aid page.
Learn MoreOutcomes
The AA degree is designed to prepare students to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, the education level required for employment.
Career Outlook
Designed to provide students the opportunity to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree for employment requiring that level of degree attainment.Having the ability to take some college classes or even complete their AA, students are afforded the opportunity to start full-time in their chosen career up to 2 years earlier than they would have if they had done high school the traditional way. Early college students are also more likely to enroll in college and earn their next college degree than students in comparable groups.
Students must be currently enrolled at The Villages High School to be eligible.
Students in grades 10 through 12 are eligible to participate.
A 3.0 unweighted high school GPA is required to qualify for the program.
Academic college readiness must be demonstrated through scores on a common placement test.
