Collegiate STEM High School celebrates first graduating class
Collegiate STEM High School celebrates first graduating class
by Elizabeth Miller & Alexa Heinrich
On Monday, May 12, St. Petersburg STEM Collegiate High School (SPSCHS) celebrated its first graduating class at SPC’s commencement ceremony.
SPSCHS opened in 2022 at SPC’s Downtown Center. As one of SPC’s three collegiate high schools, SPSCHS offers high school students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and simultaneously earn an associate’s degree.
When Dominick dos Santos discovered the school, he was working on his GED and living in a homeless shelter in Clearwater. He learned that SPC offers free bus passes for students and decided to enroll.
“I would leave at 5 a.m. to take the bus to school every day,” said dos Santos.
During his time at SPC, he got connected to the RISE program, which helped him and his family find stable housing. He also joined the Student Government Association and got the opportunity to attend an educational trip to Tallahassee.
“I really got plugged in, which was a massive help,” he said.
Dos Santos graduated with his high school diploma, an A.S. in Computer Information Technology and an A.A. degree. He will be participating in a cultural exchange program through the U.S. Department of State for the next year and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree and a career in educational technology.
Living close to the BayCare Sound, he often visited the adjacent park and hoped to some day attend a show at the venue.
“Being able to be here for this is really cool,” he said at Monday’s commencement.
All 21 graduates earned both their high school diploma and A.S. degree, and 17 earned their high school diploma, A.S. degree and A.A. degree.
Every graduate maintained a GPA above 3.0 in both high school and college coursework.
SPSCHS graduates have been accepted to top-tier universities, including University of Florida, Florida State University, University of South Florida and University of Central Florida.
Pictured above: Dominick dos Santos.
St. Petersburg Collegiate High School North Pinellas Students Partner with Speak Up! to Create Inspiring Mental Health Mural in Safety Harbor
TARPON SPRINGS, FL – Students from St. Petersburg Collegiate High School – North Pinellas (SPCHS-NP) are making a vibrant impact on their community through a collaborative art project focused on mental health awareness. Members of the school's Interact Club and National Honor Society (NHS) joined forces with Speak Up! Let’s Talk About Mental Health and the City of Safety Harbor to create a meaningful mural at North City Park.
Speak Up! Let’s Talk About Mental Health, a local organization dedicated to destigmatizing mental illness and providing crucial resources and education, received a grant from the McDonald’s Golden Arches Foundation to fund this community art initiative. The vision for the mural, brought to life by artists Mena and Tom Kiernan, emphasizes the vital themes of kindness, diversity, and inclusion.
SPCHS-NP Interact and NHS students enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to contribute their time and creativity to this project.
“The mural project taught my classmates and me that even simple changes in our community can create a more positive environment. This painting was able to bring our group an emboldened sense of pride and connection," said Interact President Tommy Flood.
This partnership aligns with one of Speak Up!'s key priorities for 2025: increasing youth involvement in community projects. "Projects like these give students the opportunity to give back, learn teamwork, communicate effectively, and explore their creative side – all of which contribute significantly to their mental well-being," explained Handley. "Too often, we hear negative narratives about young people. However, I've found that when you take the time to connect with them and provide engaging opportunities, everyone benefits. The students who helped with our mural project beautifully demonstrated this. Community members present were incredibly impressed by their dedication and positive engagement. It was remarkable to see them interacting and helping for 4-5 hours without being on their phones. This was a wonderful example of teamwork and the positive outcomes of kindness."
Stephanie Pawlowicz, Assistant Principal at SPCHS-NP, echoed this sentiment. “We are incredibly proud of our students and their willingness to dedicate their time to such a valuable cause. This project not only enhances our community but also allows our students to develop essential leadership skills along the way.”
The completed mural at North City Park in Safety Harbor serves as a powerful visual reminder of the importance of mental well-being, kindness, diversity, and inclusion.
About Speak Up! Let’s Talk About Mental Health:
Speak Up! Let’s Talk About Mental Health is a dedicated organization working to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness. They provide resources, education, and promote awareness regarding mental health, mental illness, and suicide prevention within the community.
About St. Petersburg Collegiate High School – North Pinellas:
St. Petersburg Collegiate High School – North Pinellas (SPCHS-NP) offers a unique educational experience, allowing students to earn an associate degree while completing their high school diploma. The school encourages community involvement and fosters leadership skills among its students.
Spotlight on Mrs. LaDawn Bell SPCHS-Gibbs
This spotlight is on Mrs. LaDawn Bell, SPCHS-Gibbs School Counselor. Mrs. Bell is the definition of “Southern Hospitality!” said Kaylie SPCHS-Gibbs Senior. “She makes me feel at home and is so encouraging and supportive.” St. Petersburg Collegiate High School-Gibbs has had the privilege of having Mrs. Ladawn Bell as one of their school counselors for 8 years. According to school Principal, Dr. Ian Call, “Mrs. Bell is an asset to the SPCHS community because of her ability to connect with students and parents in a way that makes them feel confident and comfortable in trusting her to give them advice about their educational journey.”
Mrs. Bell grew up in rural Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia with her bachelor (1986) and master (1996) degrees in Marketing Education. In 2006, after moving to Florida, she earned an Education Specialist degree in School Counseling from Argosy University. Mrs. Bell went on to work as a middle school counselor for four years then moved on to high school. It was in the high school environment that Mrs. Bell found her niche.
Mrs. Bell says her dream job is working at SPCHS-Gibbs. “My favorite part of working here is getting to really know the kids, getting to see them in my office each semester and during Seminar lessons. When I see them, I know if they are okay or if something is not right with them because I see them so often. Being part of their college and career planning journey is a privilege. And, if we can help them graduate without the burden of student debt, that is a win-win in my book!”
Mrs. Bell’s interest in her students goes way beyond their transcripts. Gibbs Senior, Charlize, said “I love the way she calls everyone “Dear Heart!” She is so sweet and open to talk any time about anything.” Mrs. Bell has a heart for helping these young people succeed, academically and in life. According to Dr. Call, “If Mrs. Bell ever becomes an Avenger, her superhero name will be “Relentless” because she is relentless when it comes to making sure students succeed.”
North Pinellas junior dives for the cross
St. Petersburg Collegiate High School North Pinellas senior, Jason Poulos, was selected to participate in the highly anticipated cross dive at Tarpon Springs' 119th Epiphany celebration.
This annual event, held on January 6th, commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River 2,000 years ago. A key moment is the blessing of the waters of Spring Bayou, followed by the casting of a cross into the water. The competition is fierce, with dozens of young men between the ages of 16 and 18 vying for the honor of retrieving the cross. It is believed that the person who finds the cross will have a year of favor and prosperity.
This year, 66 divers, including Jason, a certified lifeguard, participated in the event. While he did not successfully retrieve the cross, Jason expressed feeling "blessed" to have been part of this significant cultural and religious tradition.
St. Petersburg Collegiate High School, along with Jason's parents, John and Barbara Poulos, are incredibly proud of his participation in this memorable event.
St. Petersburg Collegiate STEM High School leads Pinellas County high schools
St. Petersburg Collegiate STEM High School (SPCSHS) at SPC's Downtown Center outperformed all Pinellas County High schools in key performance areas for the 2023-2024 academic year.
The Florida Department of Education released its annual report of school grades and in a stunning display of academic prowess and commitment to educational excellence, the two-year-old SPCSHS emerged as a top-performing high school in five key categories including English Language Achievement, English Language Arts Learning Gains, Math, and Science Achievement.
Founding Principal, Dr. Raquel Hairston's passion for STEM and dedication to education, inspired her team and set the foundation for the school's rapid rise.
However, the road was not without obstacles. The school's growing pains were marked by significant turnover in critical shortage areas, including math and science teachers. This turnover could have derailed the school’s progress, but Dr. Hairston, her leadership team, and teachers faced these challenges head-on.
“It was very challenging to keep the focus on learning,” said Dr. Hairston. “We were able to pivot, make strategic decisions, and implement change management strategies. We evaluated existing resources and personnel to see how we could maintain momentum and keep the focus on learning. I appreciate working with a fantastic team of faculty and staff including a dynamic Assistant Principal, Mr. Bulmer, who all helped to make this year so successful.”
As SPCSHS continues to grow and evolve, it remains committed to its mission of providing a world-class STEM education, shaping the next generation of learners, leaders and innovators.
The State of Florida School Recognition Program provides public recognition and financial awards to schools that have sustained high student performance or schools that demonstrate substantial improvement in student performance. It also provides an easily understandable way for parents and the public to measure the performance of a school.
To learn more about what St. Petersburg Collegiate STEM High School offers, please visit spchs.spcollege.edu.
Deadline for 2025 Spring Study Abroad Program is Oct. 1st
Our partnership with St. Petersburg College affords our students unique opportunities and added academic benefits, including the opportunity to study abroad. Think you can’t afford to study abroad? Scholarships and other ways to fund a study abroad program are available. Students can earn college credit while exploring other cultures around the globe.
This year’s trip will take place during spring break (March 15-23, 2025) and is open and accepting applications! The first 20 students (we have 5 enrolled already) will receive a $750 scholarship. DEADLINE TO APPLY IS OCTOBER 1, 2024.
Students are welcome to call the International Studies office at 727-341-4735 or email us at studyabroad@spcollege.edu with questions.
Course Dates: January 17 – May 12, 2025
Travel Dates: March 15 – 23, 2025
This program is open to High School students currently in the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades (excludes seniors graduating in 2024) in SPC’s dual enrollment, early college and Collegiate High Schools programs.
Join SPC faculty for an amazing and educational program to Spain and Portugal.
We will take a tour of the age-Old Islamic Alfama district of Lisbon, which included 16th century aristocratic palaces and churches. We will visit the Chapel of Bones, a 16th century place of worship decorated with bones and skulls.
Explore amazing sites like the Prado, Madrid’s famed art museum where you can behold Velázquez’s Las Meninas and Goya’s paired canvases.
Available courses – Students must enroll in at least one course from the list below. If desired, students may enroll in both courses, for a total of 4 credits. Note: Please talk to an advisor to ensure you have met all college enrollment requirements AND course prerequisites.
Professor: Earl Fratus
- INR 2002H – International Relations, Honors- 3 credits
Professor: Kelly Rich
- IDH 2634H – Service Learning, Honors – 1 credit
North Pinellas Class of ’24 celebrates historic 100% college graduation rate.
St. Petersburg Collegiate High School North (SPCHS-N) made history this year with a 100% associate degree graduation rate.
At the end of the spring semester, all 67 seniors and an additional 2 juniors earned their high school diploma and Associate of Arts degree. This is the first time this accomplishment has been achieved in the school’s history. Additionally, the SPCHS-N had an unprecedented 98.65% college success rate, meaning students earned a “C” or higher in 98.65% of the 815 college classes taken during the spring semester. The Class of 2024’s accomplishment will be honored with a banner to be hung in the Collegiate building.
“The Class of 2024 will go down in history for this remarkable accomplishment,” said Principal Ryan Halstead. “We are very proud of this accomplishment as it demonstrates the dedication and commitment of our students and their partnership with our talented staff.”
St. Petersburg Collegiate High Schools – Gibbs and North Pinellas earn prestigious “School of Excellence” designation.
Congratulations to the St. Petersburg Collegiate High School’s Gibbs and North Pinellas campuses for receiving the prestigious designation as a Florida Department of Education “School of Excellence” for the 2022-2023 academic year. First-year recipient, SPCHS North Pinellas, ranked #1 in Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay area and ranked #10 in the state for percentage points earned toward the school grades. SPCHS Gibbs has received this designation for six consecutive years and landed in the top 20 in the state. Pinellas County only had five high school recipients and two of them were SPCHS schools. In addition, both campuses saw an increase in their percentage of points earned from the 2021-2022 school year to the 2022-2023 school year.
The Florida School Recognition Program provides public recognition and financial awards to schools that have sustained high student performance or schools that demonstrate substantial improvement in student performance. It also provides an easily understandable way for parents and the general public to measure the performance of a school.
St. Petersburg Collegiate High School is a charter school that partners with St. Petersburg College and gives students the opportunity to earn their high school diploma while simultaneously earning an associate degree and a Bright Futures Scholarship all at no cost for books, fees or tuition. They are located on the following St. Petersburg College campuses: St. Petersburg Downtown, St. Petersburg Gibbs and Tarpon Springs. To learn more about this school and all that it has to offer, please visit https://spchs.spcollege.edu/.
Spotlight on Dr. Minick
Meet Vanessa Minick, Ph.D., one of the Reading and Language Arts teachers at St. Petersburg Collegiate High School STEM (SPCHS STEM). It doesn't take long for Dr. Minick's love of teaching and of her students to reveal itself. Originally from Pennsylvania, she moved to Florida at a young age and always knew that teaching was her calling. Dr. Minick graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in English and went on to work at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville while completing her Masters in Elementary Education at UF.
Upon completing her degree, Dr. Minick moved back to the Tampa Bay area where she worked at USF and spent 10 years teaching aspiring elementary education students how to become teachers. "I enjoyed that because I felt like I was making a greater impact because I was able to influence those future teachers who would eventually influence many students." Around that time, Dr. Minick began her family and also worked on her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in her "spare time".
Dr. Minick came to SPCHS STEM looking for the opportunity to work with high school students. SPCHS STEM gave her many ways to get involved. In addition to teaching, Dr. Minick has been leading a variety of clubs at SPCHS STEM which include: Battle of the Books, the Decorating Committee, Student Government, the school newspaper, and the Principal's Multicultural Advisory Committee (PMAC).
What Dr. Minick likes best about SPCHS STEM is the experience of working so closely with the students because of the small class sizes. "I like the smaller classes because it makes it feel like family," said Minick. "I also like our objectives here and that they challenge students in order to better prepare them. I like supporting my students through the learning process."
There is no doubt that Dr. Minick’s influence is great within the SPCHS STEM community. According to SPCHS STEM Principal Raquel Hairston, "Dr. Minick's teaching observations have been invaluable in knowing how we can tailor our teaching methods to meet the individual needs of each student.” And Principal Hairston went on to say, “Dr. Minick's dedication to fostering a positive and engaging learning environment is evident, and it reflects in the enthusiasm our students have for her class.”
SPCHS Commercial hitting AMC Movie Theaters
Hello SPCHS TITANS!
So excited to announce that starting October 16th be on the look out for our commercial in the Palm Harbor, Sundial and Tyrone AMC theaters. We are thrilled to be able to launch this at the same time the Taylor Swift concert is launching to gain maximum exposure. So be sure to hit the movies...you might just see yourself on the big screen! Check it out!