Life After Creek

At Spruce Creek High School, we pride ourselves on helping students prepare not just for graduation, but for what happens after they walk across that stage! There are several paths that students can choose in their path to becoming positive, productive citizens. We are ready to help, but the conversation starts at home. We encourage families to look at the options together. We encourage students to focus on keeping options open by working hard in school and learning all they can. Please reach out to your counselor for assistance or with questions.

What Path Will You Choose?

Work

If your goal after high school is to go straight to work, there are a number of things you can do to set yourself up for success:

Get a job while still in high school that has the possibility of advancement.
Consider participating in OJT where you can earn high school credits while leaving campus to work. See your counselor for more information.
Stay caught up on your high school graduation requirements so that you are not held back by struggling to get your diploma. You will not advance very far without a high school diploma. You can talk to your counselor about alternate diploma pathways if needed, including the 18 credit option.
Enroll in our CTE courses that relate to your career interest so that you can earn an industry certification that will make you more marketable in your job search. For example, if you would like to work in a restaurant, take culinary in high school.
Consider taking the ASVAB. The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a test used for military enlistment that also provides test takers with information about different careers your skill set suggest you would be successful pursuing. It is a great way to learn about some potential fields that you may not already know about. We offer it twice a year on campus. Visit your counselor for more information or to sign up.
Don't close any doors! You may find when you graduate that you are better served by taking some trade school classes at Daytona State to prepare you for a higher paying career. You need to work hard in high school to build your skills no matter what path you are taking. Some of the trade school programs can even be taken for FREE as a part of dual enrollment while you are in high school! Check out some of the options and talk to your counselor about what you need to do to qualify (for many of them you have to be 18).

Trade School or Vocational Certificate

If you know you want to further your education after high school with a trade certificate in (HVAC, construction, electrical) or vocational certificate (police officer, fire fighter, CNA, nurse, dental assistant), there are a number of things you can do to set yourself up for success.

Stay caught up on your high school graduation requirements so that you are not held back by struggling to get your diploma. You can't go to trade school without a high school diploma.
Consider taking the ASVAB. The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a test used for military enlistment that also provides test takers with information about different careers your skill set suggest you would be successful pursuing. It is a great way to learn about some potential fields that you may not already know about. We offer it twice a year on campus. Visit your counselor for more information or to sign up.
Enroll in our CTE courses that relate to your career interest so that you can earn an industry certification and gain some experience before starting trade school. For example, if you are interested in being a paramedic or nurse, enroll in our medical academy program.
Having a plan is key! Look at the Daytona State website to see what you need to do to complete your certificate program when you graduate. Choose "Vocational Certificate" to check out some of the options.
Know that some of the trade school programs at Daytona State can be taken for FREE as a part of dual enrollment while you are in high school! and talk to your counselor about what you need to do to qualify. We have had students complete the HVAC, automotive repair, and cosmetology programs for free before graduating from high school.
When you are a senior, listen to announcements about when Daytona State representatives will be on campus to get students enrolled for the fall. They will answer all questions you have. You can also talk to them before your senior year if you have questions.

Military

If you are considering entering the military upon graduation, these are the steps you need to follow:

Speak with a recruiter for each of the branches you are interested in. There are recruiters who regularly visit campus that you can reach out to.
Stay on top of your high school graduation requirements. You can't enter the military without a high school diploma or GED.
Consider participating in JROTC on campus to gain experience and learn more about a career in the military.
Get involved in sports and/or start an exercise program to ensure you are ready for the medical and physical evaluation and are prepared for basic training.
Take the ASVAB (the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) to determine job eligibility. We offer the ASVAB on campus twice a year. See Mrs. Henderson in the counseling office for information or listen to announcements to see when you need to sign up.
Consider going to college after high school and participating in ROTC to be able to enter the military at a higher level. If you are a very strong student academically, consider applying to attend one of our nations Military Academies like West Point.

Daytona State College (Or Other State Colleges)

If your plans for after graduation include going to Daytona State (or any of the Florida colleges), there are a number of steps you need to follow:

Take the most challenging classes you can successfully take for each subject area. You want to push yourself so that you have the skills necessary to be successful in college.
Stay on track toward graduation. Make sure you meet testing requirements on time and that you continue to succeed in your classes.
Try to meet the requirements for one of the Florida Bright Futures scholarships so that your tuition is reduced or free when you graduate.
Take Dual Enrollment classes to earn your AA before you graduate from high school for FREE! Or at least make progress toward your college degree while still in high school.
Meet with the DSC representatives on campus before graduation to enroll for the fall and set up your plan.

State University System

The state of Florida offers a robust university system that is the most affordable in the nation. You can also attend any of these schools with free or reduced tuition if you qualify for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, leaving you to only pay for room and board. If you earn your associates degree through dual enrollment while still in high school (or complete it after high school at any Florida college) you are guaranteed admission into one of the Florida universities to complete a four year degree, but it may not be your first choice from the list.

University Name	Location	Admission Information	Recommended MINIMUM High School Paths at Creek
FAMU	Tallahassee	30% acceptance 3.2-3.6 Weighted GPA 1030-1150 SAT FAMU partners with Florida colleges for direct admission with a program called IGNITE after completing your AA that you may want to check out.	You can take some general level classes if you earn mostly A's, but also need to take some honors classes and maybe Dual Enrollment. AP and IB are always good. The GPA is recalculated by the college using your core classes only (no electives). Applications are reviewed holistically, so involvement in sports and clubs helps.
Florida Atlantic	Boca Raton	73% acceptance 3.68-4.31 Weighted GPA 1090-1280 SAT	You can take general level classes if you earn mostly A's & B's, but also should take some honors classes and maybe Dual Enrollment. AP and IB are always good. The GPA is recalculated by the college using your core classes only (no electives). Applications are reviewed holistically, so involvement in sports and clubs helps.
Florida Gulf Coast	Ft. Myers	77% acceptance 3.0 Weighted GPA 1040-1210 SAT	You can take general level classes if you earn mostly A's & B's, but also should take some honors classes and maybe Dual Enrollment. AP and IB are always good. The GPA is recalculated by the college using your core classes only (no electives). Applications are reviewed holistically, so involvement in sports and clubs helps.
Florida International University	Miami	59% acceptance 3.0 Weighted GPA 1070-1250 SAT	You can take some general level classes if you earn mostly A's, but also need to take some honors classes and maybe Dual Enrollment. AP and IB are always good. The GPA is recalculated by the college using your core classes only (no electives). Applications are reviewed holistically, so involvement in sports and clubs helps.
Florida Polytechnic	Lakeland	40% acceptance 3.0 Weighted GPA 1230-1380 SAT	You can take some general level classes if you earn mostly A's, but also need to take some honors classes and maybe Dual Enrollment. AP and IB are always good. The GPA is recalculated by the college using your core classes only (no electives) and this university focuses on your grades in science and math classes more heavily. Applications are reviewed holistically, so involvement in STEM clubs help.
FSU	Tallahassee	24% acceptance 4.4-4.7 Weighted GPA 1370-1400 SAT FSU has a direct pathway from Tallahassee State College that you may want to look into.	You need to be a strong IB & AP student for direct enrollment, or transfer with your AA from dual enrollment. Test scores are key. The GPA is recalculated by the college using your core classes only. You also need to have a strong resume showing active involvement in clubs and sports. You don't need to be involved in everything, but find something you are passionate about and be a leader.
New College of Florida	Sarasota	74% acceptance 3.0 Weighted GPA 1060-1240 SAT	You can take general level classes if you earn mostly A's & B's, but also should take some honors classes and maybe Dual Enrollment. AP and IB are always good. The GPA is recalculated by the college using your core classes only (no electives). Applications are reviewed holistically, so involvement in sports and clubs helps.
University of Central Florida	Orlando	40% acceptance 4.1-4.5 Weighted GPA 1200-1350 SAT Daytona State College has a special pathway to UCF that you may want to look into.	They are looking for students who take mostly honors classes need and maybe Dual Enrollment. AP and IB are always good. The GPA is recalculated by the college using your core classes only (no electives). Applications are reviewed holistically, so involvement in sports and clubs helps. Test scores are important.
UF	Gainesville	24% acceptance 4.5-4.7 Weighted GPA 1380-1510 SAT UF has a direct pathway from Sante Fe College that you may want to look into.	You need to be a strong IB & AP student for direct enrollment, or transfer with your AA from dual enrollment. Test scores are key. The GPA is recalculated by the college using your core classes only. You also need to have a strong resume showing active involvement in clubs and sports. You don't need to be involved in everything, but find something you are passionate about and be a leader.
University of North Florida	Jacksonville	71% acceptance 3.0 Weighted GPA 990-1210 SAT	You can take general level classes if you earn mostly A's & B's, but also should take some honors classes and maybe Dual Enrollment. AP and IB are always good. The GPA is recalculated by the college using your core classes only (no electives). Applications are reviewed holistically, so involvement in sports and clubs helps.
University of South Florida	Tampa	41% acceptance 4.2 Weighted GPA 1260-1410 SAT USF has several local colleges that they partner with for direct admission with a program called FUSE after completing your AA that you may want to check out.	They are looking for students who take mostly honors classes need and maybe Dual Enrollment. AP and IB are always good. The GPA is recalculated by the college using your core classes only (no electives). Applications are reviewed holistically, so involvement in sports and clubs helps. Test scores are important.
University of West Florida	Pensacola	59% acceptance 3.0 Weighted GPA 1020-1230 SAT	You can take some general level classes if you earn mostly A's, but also need to take some honors classes and maybe Dual Enrollment. AP and IB are always good. The GPA is recalculated by the college using your core classes only (no electives). Applications are reviewed holistically, so involvement in sports and clubs helps.

Private College or Out of State

There are a wide variety of admission requirements for private colleges and out of state colleges. To know what is required, visit their website and look for admission requirements. Generally, to prepare for admissions, you will need to do the following:

Most Selective Colleges and Universities	Acceptance Rates Below 10%	The students from Spruce Creek who are accepted into the most selective colleges and universities in the country are typically IB Diploma students who focus on AP and IB classes for electives. They earn straight-A's and take test prep for the SAT/ACT very seriously, typically earning between 1500-1600 on the SAT. They take additional AP and college course work outside of the normal 7 period day. They hold leadership positions not just at school, but in the community and have a sport or activity that they excel in. They are strong writers and strong math students.
Selective Colleges and Universities	Acceptance Rates Between 10 -30%	The students from Spruce Creek who are accepted into selective colleges and universities in the country are typically IB Diploma students who focus on AP and IB classes for electives. They earn straight-A's and take test prep for the SAT/ACT very seriously, typically earning between 1300-1500 on the SAT. They hold leadership positions and have a sport or activity that they excel in. They are strong writers and strong math students.
Moderately Selective Colleges and Universities	Acceptance Rates Between 30-60%	Students who are accepted into moderately selective colleges and universities from Spruce Creek tend to be enrolled in honors classes for the core as much as possible, take dual enrollment classes with DSC, and sometimes take AP and IB classes. Your GPA is recalculated by the college using your core classes only (English, math, science, social studies, languages), so success in core classes impact you more than electives. Applications are reviewed holistically, so involvement in sports and clubs always help and many students who choose these schools choose them for a specific sport or program. The SAT or ACT score is typically less heavily emphasized, but it is still important to do the best you can and it can help you earn scholarships. Sometimes students with very strong academics who get into more selective colleges go to moderately selective colleges because they are offered academic scholarships.
Open/ Less Selective Colleges and Universities	Acceptance Rates 60%+	You can take some general level core classes, but it is recommended that you take some core honors classes and maybe Dual Enrollment to better prepare for course work after high school. AP and IB paths are always good preparation for any school. Your GPA is recalculated by the college using your core classes only (English, math, science, social studies, languages), so success in core classes impact you more than electives. Applications are reviewed holistically, so involvement in sports and clubs always help. The SAT or ACT is sometimes optional for less selective schools, but can help you earn scholarships. Sometimes students with very strong academics who get into more selective colleges go to less selective colleges because they are offered academic scholarships.