Private Education Options – Resources from the Webinar
On January 27, 2022, the Foundation hosted a webinar on Florida’s private education options.
Here are three ways you can help your child:
If you have questions about education options, please email Kassandra Elekes at Kassandra@aFloridaPromise.org.
Public Education Options – Resources From the Webinar
On December 13, 2021, the Foundation hosted a webinar on Florida’s public education options. To learn what K-12 scholarships are available to public school students, take the survey at www.MyChoicesinEdFL.org.
Open Enrollment:
| What is it? | Controlled open enrollment allows parents to choose to send their student to any public school in the state of Florida. There are caveats. |
| What does the law say? | “…each district school board or charter school shall allow a parent from any school district in the state whose child is not subject to a current expulsion or suspension to enroll his or her child in and transport his or her child to any public school, including charter schools, that has not reached capacity in the district, subject to the maximum class size pursuant to s. 1003.03 and s. 1, Art. IX of the State Constitution.” [Source – Fl. Stat. § 1002.31(2)(a)] |
| How do I use it? | Each district has its own policy. That means the process for choosing a school not already assigned to you will likely be different depending on the policy of the district that oversees your desired school. Check your district’s website for more information. |
| Contact Information | Here is the school district directory for every district in Florida. |
Public Charter Schools:
| What is it? | Charter schools are public schools operated independently of school districts. The first charter in Florida was established in 1996. Today there are about 687 Florida charters serving more than 341,000 students across the state. |
| Where can I find a list? | To search for a list of Florida charters and to find their contact information, see this webpage on the Florida DOE website. |
| How can I enroll my child? | Since each charter is run independently, they have different schedules and policies for enrollment. However, state law does not allow charter schools to discriminate when enrolling students. And remember, charters are public schools. So they are not allowed to charge tuition. Many charters begin the enrollment process the winter/spring before the desired academic year. |
| Contact Information | For more information, see this one-pager from the FL DOE. |
Home Education:
| What is it? | Parent-directed education that satisfies the state’s compulsory attendance requirements without enrolling in a public or private school. |
| What does the law say? | “A ‘home education program’ means the sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent in order to satisfy the attendance requirements of ss. 1002.41, 1003.01(13), and 1003.21(1).” [Source – Fl. Stat. § 1002.01(1)] Families are required to file a letter of intent with the Superintendent of your home district, and students must be tested annually. |
| How do I use it? | There are at least three associations in Florida that advocate for parents and help them understand their homeschooling needs. Florida Home School Association Florida Parent-Educators Association Home Education Foundation |
| More Information | See a one-pager on home schooling from the Florida DOE here. |
Part-Time Enrollment in Public Schools
| What is it? | Part-time enrollment policy allows students (homeschool, private school, or public school) to enroll in public schools for a course, program, or an amount of instruction less than a full-time student. |
| What does the law say? | Florida law does not explicitly allow part-time enrollment, but it does not prohibit the practice either. Districts in Florida do offer part-time enrollment options for students that include access to sports programs and dual enrollment (post-secondary) programs. |
| How do I use it? | Each district has its own policy. That means the process for choosing a school not already assigned to you will likely be different depending on the policy of the district that oversees your desired school. Check your district’s website for more information. |
| More Information | Here is the school district directory for every district in Florida. |
Virtual Education:
| What is it? | A virtual education is provided through online courses and programs. Florida is a leader in virtual education, boasting the largest state virtual school in the nation – Florida Virtual School (FLVS). Additionally, school districts are required to offer virtual education. |
| What does the law say? | “Each school district shall provide at least one option for part-time and full-time virtual instruction for students within the school district. All school districts must provide parents with timely written notification of at least one open enrollment period for full-time students of 90 days or more which ends 30 days before the first day of the school year.” [Source – Fl. Stat. § 1002.45(2)(b)] |
| How do I use it? | As a Florida resident, you can access virtual education from the state (FLVS) or from a district. |
| Contact Information | FLVS, District Virtual Options, FL DOE admin for virtual education |
Education choice allows families to select the best educational fit for their children.
Public education options include public charter schools, district-run public schools, open enrollment, magnet programs, part-time enrollment and online learning.