Education | PHSC & Dayspring Academy Expand Early College Partnership

May 14, 2026 michele525 EDUCATION | YOUTH PROGRAMS 0

PHSC DA Signing — Eric Hall, Ed.D., president, PHSC and Tarah Savino, the board vice chair, Dayspring Academy. Photo courtesy Pasco Hernando State College

Media Release | May 13, 2026
PHSC Media

The New Partnership Allows Students to Earn Associate Degrees Before High School Graduation

Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) and Dayspring Academy officially formalized the next phase of their partnership through the formal execution of the Charter Contract on Wednesday, May 13. This milestone event represents a significant expansion of educational opportunities for students enrolled in the Dayspring Academy Early College program, providing students with direct access to a collegiate environment while completing their high school education. The agreement expands access to college coursework and campus life for Dayspring Academy students, creating a direct pathway for students to earn both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree while reducing the overall cost of higher education for families.

Dayspring Academy’s Early College learners program will transition to the PHSC West Campus in New Port Richey beginning in August 2026. The collaboration reinforces the shared commitment of both institutions to student success, academic excellence, and innovative pathways to college and career readiness.

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“At PHSC, our focus is always on creating opportunities that put students first. This partnership with Dayspring Academy ensures that learners are not only earning college credit, but also gaining confidence, independence, and a true sense of belonging in a collegiate environment,” said Eric Hall, Ed.D., president of Pasco-Hernando State College. “Together we are creating a pathway that allows students to envision—and realize—their future in higher education.”

“Dayspring Academy is excited about the next phase of our partnership with Pasco-Hernando State College as we transition our Early College learners to the PHSC campus beginning in August,” said Suzanne Legg, Ph.D., Co-founder and CEO of Dayspring Academy. “This move represents a natural and exciting evolution of our program. For years, Dayspring Academy has been committed to providing students with meaningful access to college-level coursework, and this partnership allows us to deepen that experience in a powerful way. By learning directly on a college campus, our learners will be immersed in an authentic collegiate environment while continuing to receive the support and guidance that have defined the Dayspring Academy Early College experience.”

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The Early College model enables students to earn college credits while completing high school requirements, accelerating their academic journey and reducing the cost of higher education. By attending classes on PHSC’s campus, students will gain expanded access to college facilities, academic resources, student support services, and a more immersive collegiate experience designed to strengthen long-term academic and workforce success.

As one of only a handful of state colleges approved as a charter school authorizer, PHSC will begin welcoming Dayspring Academy students to campus in Fall 2026. Students will graduate from the Early College program with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree, positioning them continue their education through one of PHSC’s many top-performing baccalaureate programs.