Florida School Choice Options
Florida offers a diverse range of educational choices for families. Whether you’re considering public school, enrolling in a private institution, pursuing home education, or exploring the Personalized Education Program (PEP), it’s essential to understand each option’s legal requirements and benefits. This guide breaks down the key differences and links to official resources from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), Step Up For Students, and the AAA Scholarship Foundation.
1. Public School
- Enrollment: Local district or charter schools
- Curriculum: Florida state standards
- Testing: Required statewide testing (§1008.22, F.S.)
- Tuition: Free
- Scholarships: Not eligible while enrolled full-time
- FLDOE Public School Info
2. Private School (Including Umbrella Schools)
- Enrollment: Direct with school (§1002.01(2), F.S.)
- Curriculum: Set by school
- Testing: Required only for scholarship recipients
- Tuition: Varies; may be offset by scholarships
- Scholarships: Eligible for FTC and FES-EO
- FLDOE Private School Directory
3. Home Education (Traditional Homeschooling)
- Enrollment: Letter of Intent to district (§1002.41, F.S.)
- Curriculum: Parent-directed
- Testing: Annual evaluation (portfolio, standardized test, or psychologist review)
- Tuition: Parent-funded
- Scholarships: Not eligible unless switching to PEP or FES-UA
- FLDOE Home Education Page
4. Personalized Education Program (PEP)
- Enrollment: Apply via Step Up or AAA
- Curriculum: Parent-directed, with Student Learning Plan (SLP)
- Testing: Required annually (norm-referenced test)
- Tuition: Covered via Education Savings Account (ESA)
- Scholarships: Yes – PEP provides ~$8,000 per year
Comparison Table
| Feature | Public School | Private School | Home Education | PEP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment | District/charter school | Direct with private school | Letter of Intent to district | Apply via SFO |
| Instruction | Teacher-led | School-led | Parent-led | Parent-led |
| Curriculum | State standards | School-chosen | Parent-chosen | Parent-chosen (with SLP) |
| Testing | State-mandated | Only if using scholarship | Annual evaluation | Required norm-referenced test |
| Reporting | School handles | School handles | Annual report to district | Annual report to SFO |
| Scholarship Eligible | No | Yes (FTC, FES) | No (unless FES-UA) | Yes (PEP ESA) |
| Tuition | Free | Varies (scholarships may apply) | Parent-funded | ESA-funded (~$8,000) |
For the most accurate and updated information, always refer directly to official resources like FLDOE, Step Up For Students, and AAA Scholarship Foundation.