Seacoast Collegiate High School (SCHS), Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) and Wharton-Smith Construction Group recently celebrated the completion of Seacoast Collegiate High School’s new building’s structure and the placement of the final beam at the newly expanded campus in Santa Rosa Beach with a Topping Out Ceremony.
This exciting milestone marks significant progress in the expansion project set to open Fall 2025. This expansion will triple the number of college graduates in South Walton, closing workforce gaps, and providing unprecedented educational opportunities for Walton County students.
Highlights included remarks from key leaders, including NWFSC President Mel Ponder, and placement of the final beam on the structure.
Seacoast Collegiate High School has partnered with Northwest Florida State College to create a groundbreaking collaboration to establish a dual enrollment center and fully functioning satellite campus of NWFSC, offering full-degree programs and professional development opportunities to the Walton County community. This collaboration is the first of its kind for South Walton and will be available to all dual enrollment students and adult learners.
This multi-million-dollar project consists of two phases over five years (2024-2029), including a SCHS building and a NWFSC building (Phase 1), and a community building (Phase 2) which will be the hub for the Dream Big Program. Phase 1 is set to open in Fall 2025 and will serve SCHS students in grades 9-12, dual-enrolled students in Walton County, and adult learners pursuing a degree or certification from NWFSC. The Phase 2 community building will function as a workforce and business “think tank” and incubation center, fostering public and private partnerships and supporting businesses, community leaders and entrepreneurs, engaging more than 4,000 community members and professionals annually.
Enrollment in the A.A. degree program is projected to grow from 57 to more than 100 students per cohort by 2028-2029, with the number of A.A. degrees awarded annually increasing from 34 to more than 80. By the 2026-2027 school year, the project will enroll 120 students in the Business Administration A.S. degree program, with 90% of these students completing the degree program each year.
“By providing certifications in cutting-edge fields like AI, cybersecurity, and digital skills, paired with a focus on bilingualism and entrepreneurship, we’re ensuring our students are not just ready for the future—they’re leading it. Graduates with these credentials are more likely to be hired and command higher salaries in today’s global economy.”
