News Article

Principal Named for Collegiate High School

Oct 28, 2009

The Edison State College Board of Trustees today approved Dr. Erin Harrel as the Principal for the planned Collegiate High School on the Lee Campus. 

Dr. Harrel is a long time faculty member at Edison State College, most recently serving as the Associate Dean for Education.

“I am honored and humbled by this unique opportunity,” said Harrel.  “I envision the Collegiate High School becoming an integrated part of Edison State College’s Education Department to offer students new pathways to college or education-related careers.”

Edison State administrators say the mission of the collegiate high school will be to provide an honors-level curriculum for all students, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) instruction. The four-year curriculum will provide the opportunity for students to complete a high school diploma and an associate degree simultaneously. 

The collegiate high school will work collaboratively with the existing college-level education programs to ensure current best practices and teaching techniques, said Harrel.  “Students enrolled in high school AND college courses will benefit from the dynamic environment.”

“The collegiate high school on the Lee Campus is a natural progression of the many programs we offer with the school district currently,” said Dr. Kenneth P. Walker, President Edison State College. "We believe students can benefit from the seamless transition from high school to college level courses.”  

Edison Collegiate High School – Lee Campus plans to admit 100 ninth grade students in the Fall of 2010. Each year the school will add a new class of Freshman until reaching 4 grades and 400 students.

Admissions decisions would be based on applicants' records and test scores, teacher and community recommendations, college placement scores, and interviews with parents and students. If more than 100 qualified applicants are identified, students would be selected through a lottery system. Applications will be available in January 2010.

The proposed Edison Collegiate High School – Lee Campus will be funded by the State of Florida and open under a charter issued by the Lee County School Board.  Edison College Trustees would establish policies and provide oversight for school operations.

Parents, students or for general information questions about the Edison Collegiate High School – Lee Campus please call Sue Wilson in the Education Department 239-489-9369 or visit http://echslee.edison.edu/.

Last Updated: October 28, 2009