Private School Option Details (Florida)

Although most private schools operate in much the same manner as public schools do, i.e., age segregated classrooms, where all students meet together daily, that type of setting is not part of what is required in Florida Statutes. In the state of Florida, private schools operate independently of public schools and the federal or state Departments of Education. The Florida Department of Education guidelines state it very clearly: “Private schools are not licensed, approved, accredited, or regulated by the state. Private schools are solely responsible for all aspects of their educational programs. This includes the following: certification, qualification and training of teachers, content and comprehensiveness of the curriculum, student assessment, academic credits, grades, graduation, or promotion requirements and student record content.”

As the name would suggest, Families of Faith Christian Academy International is in fact a private school, even though it was started by what most people call “homeschoolers.” However, it should be noted that, as a private school, FOFCAI maintains high standards for the students and families who choose to enroll. Details specific to FOFCAI are in the enrollment section of the section of this web site. Also, FOFCAI is fully accredited by the Florida Coalition of Christian Private School Accreditation (FCCPSA), and the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA) as a verification of the high standards we are committed to.

There are several requirements all Florida private schools must meet:

1) Maintain a register of student enrollment and attendance. FOFCAI provides the enrollment and attendance forms needed by the parent to document 180 days of academic progress per year. The enrollment must be renewed each year and the attendance records turned into the school office for every 45 days of academics. Any family that does not re-enroll each year or turn in attendance records timely is considered truant and will be withdrawn from the school.

2) File an annual database survey with the Florida Department of Education. This is for census purposes only. It contains no names or addresses of students, as this is private information and cannot be released without the parent’s or legal guardian’s written permission. The survey allows the state of Florida to track the number of students in each grade that are enrolled in public, private, and homeschool programs. Be assured that your student’s records are protected, and no government agency has the legal authority to view anything except the attendance record and immunization card. At FOFCAI we keep the attendance and health files separate from the student’s academic and test information.

3) Maintain the student’s cumulative folder indefinitely unless it is formally requested by another school. The cum folder contains all academic records, i.e., grades, as well as a copy of his or her birth certificate, school entrance physical, and immunization record. It is important for parents to note that if they later move their student to a different school, they must inform the new school to request their student’s records. Note: If a family chooses to enroll in Families of Faith Christian Academy International then the student is not a homeschooler by Florida legal standards so the new school needs to request records. If the student has been enrolled in any other public or private school, the cum folder is simply requested by FOFCAI and maintained. If the student has no previous school records, the parents will need to provide a copy of the Birth Certificate, School Entrance Physical, and HRS Immunization Card with the application.

Additional Requirements Set by the Private School

Above are some of the requirements that all private schools in Florida must meet. Private schools have additional requirements, most commonly involving testing and required academics. Campus-based schools may also require specific dress codes, sports preparation, or chapel to name a few examples.

Scholarship Acceptance by Private Schools

For a private school to be approved to accept any of the Florida Scholarships, they must offer a full-time campus program, that has meet the health, fire code, background screening and other requirements of the Florida Department of Education Choice Office.

Some Florida Scholarship can only be used by students who attend a private school campus full-time. This would include the (FES-EO) The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options and the HOPE Scholarship.
Students on the (FTC) The Florida Tax Scholarship can attend full-time, and may be permitted to attend part-time.
Students on the (FES-UA) The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities can be enrolled as private school students, or registered with the county under the Home Education Program. If registered under the county FES-UA students that still take part-time classes with a private school.
Students on the (PEP) Persoalized Educaiton Program can also take part-time classes with a private school.