Starting a Private School in Florida
Regulations, Resources, & Support
Florida State Regulations
General Regulations
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Florida has no accreditation, licensing, or approval requirements, but does require each private school to register with the state and file an annual report.
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The Florida Department of Education has assembled a page of detailed requirements for private schools.
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The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in Florida.
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Florida does not place restrictions or provide guidelines for home education programs, but does require that parents inform the state of the intent to homeschool and maintain a portfolio of student work to demonstrate that the student is meeting compulsory education requirements.
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The Florida DOE has no published requirements for school insurance -- consult a professional for guidance in this area.
State Funding Sources & Support
Curriculum Requirements
The state and local districts have no authority over the curriculum of private schools or home education programs.
Teacher Certification & Hiring
Private and home education teachers are not required to be certified, but private school owners can require school employees to submit fingerprints to the state Department of Law Enforcement to use for background checks.
Food Services / Lunch
In Florida, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Food, Nutrition and Wellness division of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Length of School Year
Students meet the compulsory school attendance requirements if they attend either 180 actual school days or 170 school days and the hourly equivalent of 180 days.
Recordkeeping & Reports
Schools must keep a register of student enrollment available for inspection by the local superintendent. Parents must provide verification of student age prior to pre-K or kindergarten enrollment. Schools must also collect immunization records if they enroll kindergarten or 7th grade students.
Healthy & Safety Requirements
Schools must keep a register of student enrollment available for inspection by the local superintendent. Parents must provide verification of student age prior to pre-K or kindergarten enrollment. Schools must also collect immunization records if they enroll kindergarten or 7th grade students.
Transportation
Private schools operating school buses are subject to requirements based on the number of students on each bus. Additionally, school crossing guards and bus driver training programs can be provided by the district depending on their desire to do so.
Testing
Schools that participate in school choice scholarship programs must offer statewide assessments to students. There are no statutory requirements for testing in schools that do not participate in school choice scholarship programs.
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Florida State Resources
State & Regional Associations
Government Websites
Helping Educators Do the Work That Matters
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We gathered so much information that we had to break it down into 10 chapters. This free information is well-researched- we even hunted down the rules and regulations for each state! If you're thinking about starting a private school, you will find this guide very handy!
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