Florida Atlantic University High School

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) High School is a Florida high school dual enrollment program connected with Florida Atlantic University. Ninth grade year is completed at the Alexander D. Henderson University School (K-8) campus, while grades 10-12 are completed on the FAU main campus in Boca Raton. In grades 10-12, all courses are taken at FAU with college students and a 12 credit semester is the minimum requirement. In addition, students may complete high school classes through FLVS

Background

Florida Atlantic University High School is a public school and part of Florida Atlantic University Schools. In 2007 Florida Atlantic University Schools (FAUS) was designated as an “A” school for the eighth consecutive year. The highly qualified teaching faculty range in degrees earned form bachelors to doctorate. While FAUS follows the Sunshine State Standards and the same testing requirements as other Florida public schools, FAUS continues to outperform the majority in both high school and university coursework, due to its students' rigorous academic schedule, and the intensity of the coursework provided to them.

Profile

Florida Atlantic University’s Board of Trustees approved an intensive dual enrollment public high school on the Boca Raton Campus. FAU High School opened its doors to students for the fall semester 2004 and welcomed a cadre of trailblazers. Unlike other high schools, this program does not use extensive facilities in which to operate. Students experience college level courses in the environment of the university classroom, laboratories, and support facilities. This highly selective program offers high school students (grades 9-12) the opportunity to earn high school credits and university course hours, at the same time at a low cost to parents or guardians. FAU High School also offers many of the activities available in a normal high school, including sports, clubs, dances, PTO events, community service opportunities, and even an annual prom.

Early Enrollment/Degree Seeking Students

Any student in grades 10-12, at FAU High School, undergo an Early Admissions process, in which students actively participate in college classes among other college students. Officially, most of these students are considered Non-Degree Seeking Students.

Students entering their senior year may apply to become degree-seeking students. This allows the student, in their senior year, to graduate from the college with a bachelor's degree in a major of the student's choosing. This requires the student to complete a standard 4-year program in 3 years. This is accomplished with the usage of summer courses and taking the maximum allowed credit-hours. Officially, a student may obtain their Bachelors before obtaining an actual High School Diploma.

Costs

All costs related to university tuition, fees (except parking), and even books are covered by the FAU High School. However, a $500 activity fee is applied to students(grades 6-12) to cover all costs related to each student's yearbook, PE uniform, sports, clubs, and participation in other activities (Students on reduced lunch programs pay $250 and student on free lunch programs are free).

Admissions

Based on a targeted selection model, students in Palm Beach and surrounding counties are invited to attend FAU High School after a successful interview with members of Steering Committee, composed of University administrators and lead faculty. The committee is charged to evaluate applicants based on the following criteria: academic achievement, standardized test results, writing samples, social maturity, and letters of recommendation. Once accepted, students must demonstrate continuing intellectual curiosity, intrinsic motivation, and persistent interest in mathematics, sciences, engineering, liberal and performing arts, and the medical field. FAU High School provides students with challenging formal and community-based learning experiences to ensure graduates are college and/or graduate school ready. Upon completion of the 9th grade, students must pass the College Placement Test. Students in grades 9 and 10 are required to take the PSAT. Students in grades 11 and 12 are encouraged to take the ACT and/or SAT once or twice each academic year. FAU High School requires and provides for one administration of the ACT and SAT per year for each student in grades 11 and 12 and for a maximum of two Advanced Placement exams per year for each student in grades 10 – 12.

Clubs & Organizations

FAU High School offers the following clubs/organizations. Those with an asterisk (*) may also include students in grades 6-8 that are attending A.D. Henderson.

• International Thespian Society
• Science Olympiad*
• Model United Nations
• Student Government
• Mock Trial
• The FAU High Newspaper, The Hoot
• Interact Club
• National Honor Society
• FAUS Makerspace
• Asian Club
• Chorus
• Art Club
• Composition Club

Sports

• Track and Field
• Soccer
• Lacrosse
• Basketball
• Volleyball

References