Florida Tech, Palm Bay High Launch Dual Enrollment Program
Pirates to Panthers Academy to Help
Students Prepare for Future Careers
MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Institute of Technology and Palm Bay Magnet High School have launched Pirates to Panthers Academy, a powerful partnership between two educational institutions that will bring high-quality, hands-on university education to participating high school students as they prepare for careers of the future.
Students admitted to the dual enrollment program can earn up to 36 hours of college credit from Florida Tech, a prestigious national, doctoral-granting research university in Melbourne, at no cost to them. Additional benefits for students include:
- Hands-on, college-level experience in science, engineering, business, aeronautics, psychology and liberal arts while still in high school.
- Enhanced credentials prior to applying for admission to four-year universities.
- Access to stellar faculty and state-of-the-art research and laboratories.
- Guaranteed admission to a Florida Tech degree program if they complete at least six semester credit hours and achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in their courses at Florida Tech.
“At Florida Tech, we give people an opportunity to succeed. This partnership is going to expand that,” President Dwayne McCay said at a recent announcement event at the high school. “The Pirates to Panthers Academy offers an opportunity for Palm Bay Magnet High students, and others from around the county, to learn from some of the best professors in the country, maybe in the world. And it gives them a chance to actually interact with people from all over the world on our campus. That’s what we’re all about: preparing global citizens for a lifetime of success.”
“This is a phenomenal partnership,” added Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Desmond Blackburn, noting the potential positive impact dual-enrollment education can have on students. “That is awesome for FIT to provide that opportunity for our students.”
To view a video explaining the program, click here. And find additional details on the Pirates to Panthers Academy by visiting http://bit.ly/2HMk7wF.
There will be an information night from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at Palm Bay Magnet High Auditorium. Attendees can learn about entrance requirements, how to apply to the Academy and other details about the new program.
For more information, contact Palm Bay High’s Pirates to Panthers Academy Coordinator Keith Schachter at schachter.keith@brevardschools.org or 321-952-5900, ext. 3012, or Florida Tech’s Office of Undergraduate Admission at admission@fit.edu or 321-674-8030.
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