Florida School Choice
Your Guide to Every Option
Florida offers one of the most comprehensive school choice programs in the nation. From public charter schools to virtual learning, hybrid programs, and private schools with scholarship support — families have more options than ever before.
The term "school choice" simply means that parents have the power to choose the educational environment that best suits their child. Here are the types of schools available to Florida families.
1Public Charter Schools
Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that operate independently from the traditional school district. They have the flexibility to design their own educational programs and are held accountable for academic and financial results.
- Tuition-free
- Often feature specialized curricula (STEM, Arts, dual language)
- Open to all students (often through a lottery system)
2Virtual Schools
Virtual schools allow students to complete their coursework entirely online from home. Florida offers both full-time virtual options (like Florida Virtual School) and part-time courses that supplement a student's traditional schedule.
- Learn from anywhere with a flexible schedule
- Full-time and part-time options available
- Tuition-free through public virtual school programs
- Ideal for students who need a non-traditional learning environment
3Hybrid Schools
Hybrid schools combine the best of in-person and online learning. Students typically attend campus a few days per week and complete coursework from home on the remaining days, offering families more flexibility without sacrificing face-to-face instruction.
- Mix of in-person and online instruction
- Flexible scheduling for families with busy lives
- Students still benefit from classroom interaction and socialization
- Growing number of options across Florida
4Traditional Public Schools (Open Enrollment)
Florida allows for "Controlled Open Enrollment," meaning parents can request that their child attend any public school in the state that has open capacity, regardless of their zip code.
5Private Schools
Private schools offer families an alternative to public education with the freedom to set their own curriculum, class sizes, and educational philosophy. From faith-based schools to college-prep academies and Montessori programs, Florida has thousands of private school options across the state.
- Smaller class sizes and individualized attention
- Specialized curricula and educational philosophies
- Faith-based, college-prep, Montessori, and more
- Many accept Florida scholarship and voucher funding
Don't think you can afford a private school? Think again.
Florida offers some of the most generous scholarship and voucher programs in the country. Many families qualify for $8,000 to $10,000 or more per year toward private school tuition — and since 2023, these programs are open to all families regardless of income.
Scholarship & Voucher Programs
Here's a detailed breakdown of every state-funded program available to Florida families.
Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC)
Who Is Eligible
Any K-12 student eligible for Florida public school. Priority given to families at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
Average Award
~$8,000 average
What It Covers
Private school tuition and fees
Family Empowerment Scholarship — Educational Options (FES-EO)
Who Is Eligible
Any K-12 student eligible for Florida public school, regardless of household income.
Average Award
~$8,000 average
What It Covers
Private school tuition and fees
Family Empowerment Scholarship — Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
Who Is Eligible
Students age 3+ with an IEP or approved medical diagnosis. Must be a Florida resident.
Average Award
~$10,000 average (varies by grade, county, and level of need)
What It Covers
Private school tuition, therapies, tutoring, homeschool expenses, and more
Personalized Education Program (PEP)
Who Is Eligible
K-12 students not enrolled full-time in a public or private school.
Average Award
~$8,000 average
What It Covers
Parent-directed education expenses including curriculum, tutoring, and instructional materials
Hope Scholarship
Who Is Eligible
Any K-12 public school student who has been a victim of bullying, harassment, or violence at their school.
Average Award
~$7,700 average
What It Covers
Transfer to another public school or enroll in an approved private school
New Worlds Reading / Scholarship Accounts
Who Is Eligible
VPK through 5th grade public school students who are struggling in reading and/or math.
Average Award
Varies
What It Covers
Tutoring, after-school and summer programs, instructional materials, and curriculum
Transportation Scholarship
Who Is Eligible
Families of K-8 students attending a public school other than their assigned school.
Average Award
$750 per household
What It Covers
Transportation costs to the chosen school
Key Things to Know
Universal Eligibility
Since 2023, Florida's private school voucher programs have been open to all families regardless of income. However, priority funding is given to lower-income households, with families at or below 185% of the federal poverty level served first.
How to Apply
Most programs use a single, universal application managed through Step Up For Students (stepupforstudents.org). Families submit one application and are matched to the appropriate scholarship based on eligibility.
Application Timeline
Applications for the upcoming school year typically open in February. Renewal deadlines for current scholarship families are generally in late April. New families are encouraged to apply early, as some programs may reach capacity.
Scholarship Funding Organizations
The Florida Department of Education designates three organizations to administer these scholarships: Step Up For Students, AAA Scholarship Foundation, and the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools.
Scholarship amounts and eligibility requirements are set annually by the Florida Legislature and are subject to change. For the most current information, visit stepupforstudents.org or contact the Florida Department of Education.
Not sure which program is right for your family?
Our concierges can walk you through every option, check your eligibility, and even help with the application process — all at no cost to you.