Seaside School, Inc. has announced the Seacoast Collegiate High School (SCHS) Expansion Project in partnership with Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC), marking a multi-million dollar investment in the community. 

• This project aims to provide a permanent home for SCHS at the South Walton Campus of NWFSC while expanding the collegiate programs to more students in Walton County.

According to Patrick McCarthy, Seaside School Foundation President, Walton County and the surrounding areas are currently experiencing rapid growth. 

“We believe investing in the people of our community is needed and necessary now more than ever,” he said. “By expanding this partnership between two historically successful institutions, we will make Walton County an even better place to live and thrive.”

Currently, ninth and tenth grades at SCHS operate in five classrooms that are leased from NWFSC at the South Walton Campus, while eleventh and twelfth grades attend classes on the Niceville Campus of NWFSC. With this expansion project, The Seaside School, Inc. will be able to consolidate all high school students at the NWFSC South Walton Campus and add additional instructional space for students in grades nine through twelve and the community.

“Our goal is to create a vibrant epicenter for not only dual enrollment education but also higher learning opportunities that will not only benefit our students but will provide all high school students in Walton County more access to a college education and fulfill their educational goals,” said Kim Mixson, The Seaside School, Inc. Chief Academic Officer.

The Seacoast Collegiate High School Expansion Project will be developed on 5-acres of land provided by NWFSC, consisting of three additional buildings for both SCHS and NWFSC classrooms, shared lab space, “The Accelerator” for workforce development, continuing education, and other workforce preparedness opportunities for the community, as well as green spaces to unite the campus.

• “Our college’s commitment to provide expansive educational and training opportunities for the citizens of Northwest Florida is evidenced once again in this strong partnership with Seacoast Collegiate High School,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson, President of Northwest Florida State College. “We believe dual enrollment opportunities are the key to advancing educational attainment in our region and in Florida.” 

Despite the growth, SCHS holds strong to their core values of providing a small learning environment with a focus on students’ individual learning needs and independence in combination with a collegiate program.

The school has consistently had a 100% graduation rate and more students qualifying for the Bright Futures Scholarships than any other high school in Walton County.

“This project will allow us to remain committed to fostering a high level of academic achievement for our students while providing them with skills to contribute to the area’s business community,” said Joy Robbins, The Seaside School, Inc. Director of Strategic Development. “Currently, our high school students are working on earning their Associate of Arts degree, but with this level of growth and expansion, we will be able to offer our students the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science degree with a concentration in Business Management.”

The Seacoast Collegiate High School Expansion Project is expected to break ground later this year with doors opening to students in 2025. The project includes naming and gift opportunities, campus renderings, and upcoming informational sessions. 

For more information on this project, visit SeasideSchools.net.