School district, UF partner in dual enrollment program
Lee County public school students will be able to take university courses, earn credits, at no cost
An agreement between the School District of Lee County and the University of Florida will give high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to take part in dual-enrollment courses this fall.
“No one in Southwest Florida is doing what the School District of Lee County is doing for students. We are now the only district in the region to offer dual enrollment with the University of Florida — and that is on top of our AICE programs, IB offerings, and expanding collegiate partnerships. When it comes to top-tier academic opportunity, there is no comparison,” Chief Academic Officer Dr. Nathan Shaker said.
There are already 68 students from the district’s 15 high schools signed up to start classes in August.
Shaker said the district is always seeking new opportunities to challenge students and give them the best opportunities available.
“UF is a home run for meeting both of these goals,” he said.
The opportunity means that Lee County students, at no additional cost to them, will have access to course work, curriculum and instructors at one of the nation’s preeminent universities, Shaker said.
“We are excited to welcome Lee County to UF Dual Enrollment as we continue expanding opportunities for students across the state, from the Florida Keys to the Panhandle,” said Nico Rose, assistant provost and senior director for Teaching and Technology at the University of Florida, in a prepared statement. “By connecting high school students with rigorous, innovative UF courses, this partnership contributes to the future talent pipeline for our state by supporting college readiness and strengthening pathways to higher education.”
School counselors will help interested students with the application process.
“They must work directly with their school counselor to apply,” Shaker said. “They must meet entrance requirements and be formally accepted during the application periods.”
Students must maintain a minimum 3.6 cumulative unweighted high school grade point average, and meet competitive standardized test score thresholds on the SAT, ACT, or CLT exams.
The credits earned fulfill requirements at UF and can be transferred to other public and private postsecondary institutions nationwide.
“For next year, we will offer al a carte offerings from UF’s catalogue. In ’27-’28, our district will continue to offer a la carte options, but also form specialized cohorts at schools around the district to provide students the chance to pursue specific post-secondary interests in a deeper and more comprehensive way,” Shaker said. “Cohorts may be focused on technology and AI integration, natural resource and agri-technology, education, marketing and entrepreneurship.”
In addition to UF, dual enrollment opportunities are also offered at Florida Southwestern State College, Florida Gulf Coast University Accelerated College Experience (ACE), Florida Gulf Coast University Collegiate Academy, and Barry University.
During the 2025-26 school year, there were 1,853 students enrolled at FSW, 62 in FGCU ACE, 314 in FGCU Collegiate Academy and 316 at Barry University.
The total college credits earned at FSW were 18,003, 1,647 at FGCU ACE, 8,263 at FGCU Collegiate Academy and 948 at Barry University.
Numerous students in the West Zone pursued dual enrollment.
There were 179 students from Cape Coral High School enrolled in college courses at FSW for 701 college course enrollments and three students enrolled in college courses through FGCU ACE for 34 college course.
Ida S. Baker High School had 205 students enrolled at FSW for a total of 576 college course enrollments, and two students enrolled at FGCU ACE for 24 college course enrollments.
There were 43 students enrolled in college courses at FSW for Island Coast High School for a total of 130 college course enrollments, and 10 students enrolled at FGCU Collegiate Academy for 83 college course enrollments.
Mariner High School had 141 students enrolled in college courses at FSW for a total of 389 college course enrollments, and one student enrolled at FGCU ACE for six college course enrollments.
There were 150 students at North Fort Myers High School enrolled at FSW for a total of 686 college course enrollments and five students enrolled at FGCU ACE for 53 college course enrollments.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com