About FSWC-Lee
“To those searching for truth – not the truth of dogma and darkness but the truth brought by reason, search, examination, and inquiry – discipline is required. For faith, as well intentioned as it may be, must be built on facts, not fiction.”
- Thomas Edison -
In partnership with Florida SouthWestern State College and the Lee County Public Schools, Florida SouthWestern State Collegiate High School – Lee desires to provide the citizens of Lee County with a unique and unparalleled educational opportunity.
By opening a collegiate high school in direct partnership with Florida SouthWestern State College, students are be able to simultaneously earn a traditional high school diploma and an Associate in Arts degree by taking dual enrollment classes during their junior and senior years. This incredible opportunity is available to students at no cost through an open enrollment process and provides them with an experience rooted in the best available research and educational philosophy.
Because of the small nature of the school and the close association with Florida SouthWestern State College, students are actively engaged in the educational process. Primary focus is on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) delivered through experiential and interdisciplinary teaching and learning. This rich and student centered problem solving atmosphere will allow students the opportunity to personally construct knowledge in response to the experiences mapped out by their highly qualified and specifically trained teachers.
In short, the mission of FSWC-Lee is to provide students with an accelerated opportunity to participate in the joys and benefits of a highly relevant and applicable educational experience.
Mission:
Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High – Lee is a learning community in which all members have something to learn and something valuable to teach. We believe that children, parents, and teachers are mutually responsible for achieving educational goals. The curriculum and structure of Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High continually reinforces the core values of critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.
The Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High Education:
Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High annually enrolls a freshman class of 118 students, with separate lotteries for each subsequent grade level. Students in 9th and 10th grade attend class in our dedicated facility on the FSW State College campus while 11th and 12th grade students dual enroll at FSW.
Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High School curriculum emphasizes Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). A strong liberal arts foundation enables critical thinking, reading and writing throughout the curriculum. Florida SouthWestern Collegiate students learn through hands-on activities in project – based inquiry labs.
The FSWC-Lee education will reinforce education essentials throughout the students course work so students will have a strong foundation of knowledge on which to expand.
Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High students follow an honors level curriculum, enabling students to graduate with a high school diploma and associates degree simultaneously. Students are transitioned into college level course work gradually, taking their entire freshman and sophomore classes within the high school on the Florida SouthWestern State College Lee Campus. High school juniors and seniors enjoy dual enrollment at Florida SouthWestern State College.
Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High, like all public schools, is funded by the State of Florida. Tuition and textbooks are provided by the State of Florida even when students are enrolled in college level courses!
Governing Board:
Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High School – Lee Campus will be the only collegiate high school in Lee County. The Florida SouthWestern State College Board of Trustees provides a governance structure with the FSW School of Education providing oversight for all school operations. The Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High School – Lee Campus charter was granted by the School Board of Lee County Public Schools for a 15 year maximum term and the school is recognized as a School of Distinction by the FL-DOE.