Twenty-two Alachua County Public School (ACPS) students who will be earning their high school diplomas this year have already graduated from Santa Fe College (SFC) with an Associate of Arts degree. Four additional graduating seniors have earned their certification from SFC as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).

The students participated in the Dual Enrollment Program, a nearly 30-year partnership between the school district and SFC that allows local students to earn college credits and even complete Associate’s degrees and career certifications while working toward their high school diplomas—all without paying tuition. Alachua County Public Schools was one of the first Florida districts to offer the option to its high school students.

“Our community’s students are top-notch, and the amount of money families save through our partnership is extraordinary,” said Dr. Jen Homard, SFC’s Executive Director of Secondary Programs.

Homard said the 26 ACPS seniors graduating with AA degrees or certifications earned about 1500 college credits and collectively saved more than $130,000 in tuition and textbook costs. Altogether, ACPS seniors participating in the Dual Enrollment program at SFC earned more than 11,500 college credits and saved roughly $1.2 million in college costs during the 2025-26 school year.

Eighty-two ACPS students were also dual-enrolled at the University of Florida this school year, earning nearly 300 credits from UF.

The ACPS-SFC dual-enrolled students who earned their AA degrees this year are: Julia Allen, Kelsey Bush, Alberto Castillo, Riley Davis, Lia Floarea Dobra, Michael Hammond, Alexander Harris, Lillian Ho, Priya Thakor, Casey Bauer, Alayna Forrest, Jaite Howell, Kylee Kaster, Mary Loosli, Isabella Luria, Jade McKillop, Nova Prter, Sophie Suslov, Gita Syer, Ashton Washington, Palin Yang and Kinsey Young.

The four students who earn EMT certifications are Gabriel Mathson, Zachary Nanke, Emanuel Cruz-Flecha and Ella Giuliano.