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(bright upbeat music) - Hello everyone, I'm Rameca Vincent Leary, and welcome to this edition of Pensacola State Today.

It's an opportunity of a lifetime it's created quite the buzz.

That's because rising high school juniors and seniors have a prime opportunity to earn a high school diploma, transferable college credits, and an associate degree at the same time.

So you may be wondering where is it all taking place?

Well, the journey can start when they enroll as brand new students at the Pensacola State College Charter Academy.

To discuss this exciting news even further, I'm happy to welcome Dr. Ed Meadows, president of Pensacola State College and Dr. Karen McCabe, principal of the Pensacola State College Charter Academy.

Welcome to both of you.

- Thank you Rameca.

- Thank you.

- Now, Dr. Meadows about the buzz, this is some exciting news.

So I want you to take us back to the beginning.

Who was the brainchild behind this, or were there many hands in the pot?

- Well, you know, Dr. Leary, whenever a new commander steps into that role at NAS, I try to make sure that we have a meeting.

And so I invited doctor, Captain Tim Kinsella to lunch and over lunch, we were talking about NAS and the community and Pensacola state, and the, the topic of educational opportunity and educational choice came up regarding the local area.

And he asked me for my advice about how to diversify educational choice for military families that have secondary school aged children.

And so I suggested that we might look at charter academy that would be with the focus on military families.

And he told me that, you know, one of the first things that someone in the military looks for when they're choosing deployment stations is particularly if they have family school children they look at, you know, the ratings of the local secondary school system.

And so he thought it was a great idea.

And so from there, we thought we were keeping a low profile.

- We thought, right?

- However, you know, being on the Pensacola chamber board of directors and having the Pensacola chamber to its credit sponsored the west Florida defense Alliance, and this is an organization to support those military institutions along Northwest Florida coast, as well as the families of the military.

Word got out and it created some excitement in those circles.

And so we decided not to keep it so much a secret as to pursue, you know, researching on what it would take to actually launch a charter academy.

And so some, couple of years later, after a lot of research and, you know, hiring a consultant to help us along with getting very strong letters of support from the military, as well as others in the community we applied for and received our charter.

And we have done this in partnership with, with the Escambia county school system.

And we advertised for a principal.

- And guess who stepped up?

- Well, Dr. McCabe has been our director of our south San Rosa center now for a number of years and she actually has a background in secondary school administration.

And so a known is a lot better than an unknown.

And so we were very fortunate that she had an interest in this position so here she is.

- Yes, here she is in, we love you so much.

I tell you what the word free Dr. Meadows, I just love how it rolls off a person's tongue, but one of the biggest draws is, right Dr. McCabe, no cost to the student for the application, tuition, books or any other fees.

Please do expand on that.

- Yeah, absolutely.

So students will apply, no application fee for their college classes, their textbooks, any of the resources that they need to complete their courses, there'll be no fees attached for any of that.

Students will also be provided with a laptop to use for the entire academic year.

We'll take those back in update, run updates on the computers, but again, everything really to provide them the opportunity with absolutely no cost to them.

- Yes, indeed Dr. Meadows.

So as you've taken us through this journey, which I'm loving, by the way, we know that Bright Futures, that's something that tends it's to really just be at the forefront of a lot of people's minds as well.

Would you like to talk about that Bright Futures?

- Well, not only Bright Futures, but in the state of Florida, there are tremendous opportunities for students that apply themselves academically to receive scholarships and tuition waivers and Bright Futures is one of those special programs, unique to Florida that allows high achieving students to have either all or a portion of are tuition paid, you know, through the lottery funds that are generated in the state of Florida.

And the good part about Bright Futures is that if these bright students, after graduation come to a community college like Pensacola State College, their funds go twice as far.

And so they have a lot of funds left over as they seek their baccalaureate, last two years of baccalaureate degree.

And, you know, the Bright Futures program does not discriminate in terms of anything except the academic achievement of the student.

So regardless of your socioeconomic standing, regardless of race or creed, gender, as long as you've got those grades, then you're eligible for the Bright Future's scholarship.

And then in addition to that, there's a prepaid program that parents can invest in when their children are toddlers.

And even when they're just born, that amasses a certain amount of money through investment that assists them as well and in Pensacola State has its own scholarship in its own foundation.

And then we have the benevolence of the community that helps to ensure the quality of our programs.

And for example, before we ever even got to the place of presenting our charter academy to our board of trustees for approval, then what was then Gulf Power now, Florida Power and Light based upon a one page application awarded Pensacola State College, $100,000 for advanced technology laboratory for the charter academy students.

- [Rameca] Exceptional.

You said one thing, Dr. Meadows that really hit me in such a resounding way, because I come from a military family, moved around a lot.

And you talked about military families, parents often scoping out the environments of where they're going to be stationed, but then again, this avenue is also open for others, isn't that right Dr. McCabe?

- Absolutely, so the charter academy students are eligible, whether that's a Escambia or Santa Rosa students, but yeah, it's open to all students who hit the eligibility requirements.

We invite them to come.

And as that, Dr. Meadows talked about Bright Futures, the piece that we'll do on the charter academy on the high school side will be to still follow what they've completed already, following their GPA, making sure that they've got their volunteer hours, and their scores, and we then as the charter academy high school, we'll submit that for them, for their eligibility as well.

- So let's break this down for the parents out there.

All right, so we're seeking 75 rising juniors, 75 rising seniors.

And as far as the application process is concerned in any additional requirements, what would be one of the first things that a student would need to do in terms of enrollment?

- So they can go to the website and apply now, and that's different than applying directly to the college.

So they'll go to the charter academy website and they'll apply there and they'll submit their high school transcripts current, and then also test scores.

And then once submitted, then we'll send them the enrollment packet and go ahead to get them scheduled for registration.

- So speaking of test, breakdown specific tests that could be used in that respect.

- So students can use either the ACT, the SAT or the PERT scores.

And the PERT is the post-secondary enrollment readiness test that we have here in Florida.

And they have to hit certain scores, again, that's on the website and they can use any combination.

If they've taken their English and reading and did well on their ACT, but weren't as strong on math and they can take the math section of the PERT and any of those three will make them eligible.

- And one thing that I really love Dr. Meadows, these students will be able to use all of our PSC college amenities.

How important is that?

- Honestly, it's tremendously important from a academic enrichment perspective, but let's go back to the Bright Future one more time.

If you come to the charter academy, it is free, therefore, all of your Bright Future scholarship money goes toward the baccalaureate degree after the associate degree.

So the last two years.

So- - I like that.

- So that is a wonderful opportunity for students to not only receive that receive the Bright Futures, but to have almost twice as much money or have 100% of their money left for their last two years.

And in terms of the opportunities for the charter academy, those students are still eligible to participate in high school activities at a high school.

And that means that if they wanna play sports, then they can go out for sports at a local high school.

If they want to be in student organizations at the high school, they can do that.

We will have some of our own high schools.

We have Mr. Fitzpatrick, who's on our WSRE board that's in a rotary club.

He has already contacted us about a rotary act club for our charter academy students.

And they will be, they can also participate in, in Phi Betta Kappa, which is the two year college honorary society.

- Yes, yeah.

- And that within itself often leads to special scholarships once they to graduate from Pensacola State with the associate degree.

But the other activities that they are eligible to participate in at Pensacola State are any and all of the organizations and activities that, that we provide students here.

So anything from flag football to Phi Theta Kappa, to student government, to theatrical productions, to visual arts, performing arts, you name it.

They have the opportunity to participate as our current dual enrollment students do.

For example, I recently met the president of our Phi Theta Kappa, who is a dual enrollment student.

- That's wonderful.

And it's a huge win when both of you please stay right where you are.

As we head to break, we want to share some additional details for the Pensacola State College charter Academy.

Stay with us, we'll be right back.

(bright upbeat music) Hello, everyone.

We're back to continue our discussion on the Pensacola State College charter Academy with Dr. Ed Meadows and Karen McCabe.

Dr. McCabe back to you.

Let's talk about the small supportive learning environment.

- So students will come in, as you said before, 75 seniors, 75 juniors in the fall.

And the idea is that, our job is to create a number of different supports for the student, whether that's advising, whether that's, any help that they might need with tutoring.

And the idea also is that we would have an advisor that can work with a student individually.

Many of the high schools, and not at all to say that they're not doing a good job just sometimes because of the size, it gets difficult to know students personally, to understand, to be able to work with them individually and devote more time to them.

So a big piece of the charter academy is allowing students to then, you know, work with an advisor, you know, help them develop an individualized education plan as far as their college schedule.

And also to know, you know, what they need and really be able to reach that.

- So let's talk specifically about the curriculum.

What sets the curriculum aside from maybe a student attending somewhere else?

- So the idea is students will come in, the juniors, the seniors predominantly will do the dual enrollment piece, which again, the college has done for a number of years and we do well.

And so students will come in and earn not only that college credit, but also meet high school requirement.

The high school obviously is always the first priority, but the opportunity to then complete, you know, the college classes will also add to their college transcript.

The other piece is that with regard to the seniors, the Capstone project.

So the Capstone project is, and it's a program that only seniors will complete.

It's a culmination of all of their education, all of their knowledge and skills that they've earned from, you know, childhood on.

And what they will do is answer a compelling question or, you know, pick an area of interest, a career area of interest that they're interested in and that they wanna follow, they wanna research, and they will do that throughout the year.

So heavy research, they'll work with mentors in the field, possibly shadow that mentor, you know, work with them in terms of their project, their portfolio that they will put together and then they'll present that at the end of the year to their classmates, as well as to faculty administration and parents as well.

- And Dr. Meadows, I love that, that real world experience, nothing like it.

I had my own Capstone experience as well, but let's delve a little bit deeper regarding career opportunities.

Please speak to that.

- Well, as we look at the $100,000 that Gulf Power now, Florida Power and Light gave us is going to afford us the opportunity to build a laboratory not only where they have access to through the web, you know, different kinds of core exploration, but we will also have some modules and they're close to 3D experience.

- [Rameca] Oh, maybe simulations- - With the use of things like robotics, 3D printing.

And there are some opportunities now in virtual reality for core exploration that where they actually feel like they're within the environment that they're exploring.

Medicine is one of those areas, construction skills, engineering, those are all different things or different careers that, you know, the virtual reality technology will allow an enriched experience.

And I don't want to leave out the Navy because their flight academy, they have been so gracious to work with us where we are going to have, our students will have the opportunity to participate in the flight academy experience.

And they're not doing that just to recruit possible recruits into the military, but to give those individuals the critical thinking skills, the communication skills, the teammanship and the math and science skills that will augment and enhance their academic experience at Pensacola State.

So we're just now thinking of all of the ways in our advanced technology center that we can help a student in that lab see what their options are.

And of course, we will have the our college advisement center and career placement center available to them as well, where they can take a certain type of interest test to see what their interest might be.

And these are really unique kinds of instruments because they won't be able to figure out why their questions are being asked.

And even that they do try to figure it out, they often will be outsmarted by the test.

I can remember when I took mine, you know, I had no idea why they were asking the kinds of questions, so it gives them, it's not an aptitude test but it's actually an interest test, that's almost at the subconscious level.

But it does play into their particular leanings from the academic world.

So there's, it is going to be a, a very rich environment for them academically.

And there'll also be activities within the group for them to learn other kinds of life skills that are necessary to be successful in life and in a career.

- Oh, I wish I could turn back the clock a little while.

Seriously, Dr. Meadows.

Let's focus also on the teachers that will be in the classrooms, please.

- So the first, again, the first two years that the charter academy runs, those students will be fully dual enrolled.

So those students will attend classes just as they have with the college students, with college professors, you know, the teachers, the instructors that we have who are passionate experts in their field, you know, and passionate about the work that they do.

So they will still do that for the next two years.

- All right, so a key component, social and emotional learning.

A little broad, isn't it?

- Exactly the whole idea behind that is, you know, that our goal is to educate the whole student.

You know, it's not just about the academic piece, but it's about, you know, how can we help them to be successful well rounded individuals?

You know, as Dr. Meadow said, as far as, you know, getting out into the workforce, ultimately for them to be a contributing member of their community, our community.

And so what we will also focus on is, you know, helping them to understand and follow through how to be compassionate, how to be empathetic, to give in to show that, you know, to be respectful to one another.

And the other piece that, that I was very excited about is that, you know, it is all about walking the talk.

That we will model that behavior, that every individual will, and that the students are in an environment that's caring and compassionate and respectful.

- And Dr. Meadows, I really like that social and emotional involvement.

Sometimes we need a friend, we need a mentor, someone maybe to hold our hand for a little while, right?

- You know, some of the people that I remember most are my teachers, because they not only gave me the subject matter, but they gave me the emotional support that I needed.

And all adolescents, they have growing pain socially and emotionally, and you don't have to be a psychologist, you know, to help a student feel valued, respected and appreciated.

And I feel like that our faculty are the best at helping students in the classroom that are unsure of themselves, not from an academic standpoint, but, certainly from an academic standpoint, but also as a human being.

And so tho those faculty are going to be good role models for these students, as well as people like Dr. McCabe and her staff.

- All right, let's talk about the parents.

We're not forgetting about you at all.

Parental involvement is also another key factor.

- Yeah, absolutely.

And I know sometimes high school students are, would prefer their parents drop them at the door and move on but we want parents involved.

And again, as Dr. Meadows mentioned the piece as far as mentoring, you know, with the students in their Capstone project, we want parents to also be mentors.

We want parents who are subject matter experts to come in and maybe mentor another student.

So we'll have them involved in that way, we'll have them involved in the parent teacher student association.

Again, when they present Capstone projects, graduation, open house orientations, really want parents involved and will communicate regularly with them.

- So we know August, right?

Talk a little bit more about that month, because it's quite significant.

- Yeah, so August 8th will be the start date.

We will actually follow the Escambia calendar and the high school starts the 8th, the college starts the following week.

So that first week that we have high school students on campus will be a week that they will be doing classes and curriculum around enrichment and collaboration.

We'll do a number of team building exercises.

Again, speaking back to the smaller size and the more intimate, you know, group that we have.

It will again, allow them to know one another, to build a team and really be able to support one another.

- And I love it because students will be challenged in the rigors of life, oftentimes real world scenarios.

Sometimes they are not even addressed, but that's yet another layer of involvement with the charter academy.

Now, Dr. Meadows with your involvement and everything that you have done.

I know that you've heard a lot of, and I know I mentioned the word buzz near the beginning of the show, but I do think it is appropriate because we are moving full steam ahead with this.

- We are, and in the community, with my interactions in the community it's been nothing but positive regarding our initiative for a charter academy.

And it's not just from the military side, it's from the community in general.

So the individuals that do not have children, they may have nieces and nephews or grandchildren.

I think they appreciate what Pensacola State is stepping forward to do.

- So we know Dr. McCabe, a one stop shop by visiting the website, but yet another facet is that a lot of the students will work with mentors.

I know we touched on that briefly a little bit, but can you expand on some of the specific areas where that may happen.

- Truthfully, that really, and with regard to that project, that will be up to the student, which I think will help them to be more invested, more interested.

So, and hopefully our intent is that it is potentially a path that they'll follow as far as for their career.

I know, and Dr. Meadow said, as far as, I mean, obviously we have health careers, we have, you know, career in technical education, a number of pieces even here at Pen State College already.

So those could also be a number of opportunities for students.

- And that really also plays into the personalized learning experience.

So many doors are being opened in that respect, Dr. Meadows.

And I know that everyone would definitely appreciate that, but as the president of Pensacola State College, some encouraging words for those who are interested, why don't you share a few?

- Well, I think that you're already in school, you are a high achiever academically, you probably have friends that you don't wanna leave behind.

So my advice is you bring those friends with you to the charter academy, but also remember that this is a partnership with the Escambia County School system.

And as such, you will have access to the campuses within Escambia county or Santa Rosa county, if you're coming from Santa Rosa county.

So you can keep the friends that you have and participate in those extracurricular activities, if you so choose at the secondary school level.

So it's not like you're leaving behind forever.

You know, the colleagues and friends that you made and your favorite teachers that you've had in the past, the opportunity to be introduced to other future favorite teachers should be an aspirational goal for all students to know that in their future, as they pursue their education, that they're going to meet other individuals.

And it's also someone once told me that 80% of all the friends you meet in your entire life are made in school.

So by coming to the charter academy, this is an opportunity you to meet new friends.

And you never know.

You know, some of those friends that you meet, they may be the future governor, they may be your family doctor, they could be your attorney, they could be your plumber.

You just never know.

But to actually be in a community where you get to know more people is always to your advantage, and it should be exciting.

- All right, well said, both of you.

All right, folks, this has been such a rewarding show, and I want to thank our guests for joining us once again.

As a final reminder, log on to the website on your screen to find out more about the Pensacola State College Charter Academy.

I'm Rameca Vincent Leary.

Thank you for watching and remember to give it locked in right here on WSRE PBS for the Gulf Coast.

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