New Florida Charter School Fact Sheet Shows 406,832 Students Enrolled in Florida’s Public Charter Schools; Enrollment Total for the 2024-25 School Year is an Increase of 10,310 Students or 2.6 Percent from 2023-24 

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools notes this is the first year more than 400,000 students have enrolled in Florida’s public charter schools. 

DAVIE, Fla. (August 29, 2025) – The new Florida Charter School Fact Sheet shows 406,832 students enrolled in Florida’s public charter schools for the 2024-25 school year.  The number is an increase of 10,310 students from the previous year, or 2.6 percent. 

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) publishes the annual Florida Charter School Fact Sheet.  It notes that the new number is the first time more than 400,000 students have enrolled in Florida’s public charter schools. 

“Enrollment at Florida’s public charter schools continues to set records,” said Robert Haag, President of FCPCS.  Haag said the new Florida Charter School Fact Sheet is a helpful reference tool to pinpoint details about the growth and success of charter schools in Florida. 

The 406,832 charter school students in Florida are 13.8 percent of the overall number of K-12 students enrolled in Florida public schools.  They attend 732 charter schools in 48 Florida counties.  The 732 total number of charter schools for 2024-25 is seven fewer than for 2023-24.  In addition, 77 percent of Florida’s charter schools earned a grade of A or B. 

In addition to updating the numbers of students and schools, the new fact sheet includes general background information about public charter schools and how they are funded.  It also includes a page of “Myths Versus Facts about Charter Schools.” 

The new Florida Charter School Fact Sheet is available online on our Home Page under the 'About Charter Schools' tab: https://www.floridacharterschools.org

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools

Recently celebrating its 25th Anniversary, the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state.  Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven. FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools.

The National Charter Schools Conference – NCSC25 -- Takes Place in Orlando with Strong Involvement of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS)

Leaders from FCPCS member schools and FCPCS Preferred Partners attend NCSC25 seminars and network there. 

PHOTO CAPTION: Students from Orlando Science Schools Jazz Band perform “Cry Me a River” during a general session at NCSC25, the National Charter Schools Conference of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.  The Jazz Band’s performance was facilitated by the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS), of which Orlando Science Schools is a member. 

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 9, 2025) – Many representatives of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) participated in the recent National Charter Schools Conference – NCSC25 – presented by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and held at the Orlando World Center Marriott. 

The National Charter Schools Conference is the largest national education conference of educators, advocates and leaders of the charter school movement.  Participants are empowered by people, resources and expertise to inspire their work.  The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools states the Conference, “offers the best learning experience for those shaping K-12 education.” 

Dozens of NCSC25 sessions covered informative and diverse topics such as the Classroom of the Future, Navigating Digital Distractions, Transforming School Culture, the Age of Artificial Intelligence and STEM Excellence. 

Leaders from member schools of FCPCS attended National Charter Schools Conference general sessions and participated in professional development seminars.  They also networked with other public charter school professionals from throughout the state and the nation.  NCSC25 also attracted many participants in FCPCS’ Preferred Partners Program, including companies that provide goods and services to charter schools. 

Among the National Charter Schools Conference attendees was Sherard Parker, Director of Member Services for FCPCS.  Parker noted the significant involvement of leaders from FCPCS member schools and representatives of FCPCS Preferred Partners. 

“The Central Florida location of NCSC25, the National Charter Schools Conference, presented a great opportunity for participation by representatives of members schools of FCPCS, as well as participants in our Preferred Partners Program” said Parker.  “We heard positive comments from many of our members, who said they were learning a lot and enjoying the opportunity to network with other representatives of charter schools from around the state and the nation.” 

One highlight of FCPCS involvement in the National Conference was a general session performance of “Cry Me a River” by students from Orlando Science Schools’ Jazz Band.  Their performance was facilitated by FCPCS, of which Orlando Science Schools is a member. 

FCPCS President Robert Haag thanked its many member school representatives and Preferred Partners who participated this year. 

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools salutes representatives of many of our member schools who invested their time in learning and networking at NCSC25 in order to increase their knowledge and skills,” said Haag.  “We applaud their commitment to education and note the positive impact it has on their students.” 

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary as part of the 2024-2025 school year, the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state.  Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven. FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools.

12 Florida Charter High School Graduates Win Prestigious Scholarships 

Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships awarded based on academic accomplishments and financial need. 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (June 18, 2025) – Twelve Florida charter high school graduates have been named recipients of the 2025 Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarship by the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS). 

The Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships are merit-based financial awards of $1,500 each.  They are awarded to college-bound or technical school-bound recent graduates of Florida charter schools.  

Scholarship recipients have strong academic records and demonstrate financial need.  Scholarship funds may be used towards college expenses, including tuition, textbooks, materials and supplies, and computer equipment. 

Dr. Carlo Rodriguez was an education advocate who worked tirelessly to expand quality school choice options for children.  He was the head of the charter school office of Miami-Dade Public Schools and was named to head the Florida Department of Education's Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice.  He passed away unexpectedly in 2007. 

Listed alphabetically, the recipients of the 2025 Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships are: 

--Amaya Baker, Doctors Charter School of Miami Shores

--Emilly Dos Reis, Discovery High School, Lake Alfred

--Justin Duke, River City Science Academy Middle and High School, Jacksonville

--Cole Dunsford, McKeel Academy of Technology, Lakeland

--Jake Hutchinson, Pensacola State College Charter Academy, Pensacola

--Pooja Khalil, SouthTech Academy High School, Boynton Beach

--Amari Lopez, Sarasota Military Academy, Sarasota

--Alyssa McIntyre, SouthTech Academy High School, Boynton Beach

--Jethiel Morales, Pepin Academy Tampa

--Emily Reyes, River City Science Academy Middle and High School, Jacksonville

--Polina Tiukova, Avant Garde Academy of Broward High School in Hollywood

--Gage Yarbrough, Pineapple Cove Classical Academy, Palm Bay 

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools salutes the hard work and dedication of the 2025 winners of the Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarship,” said Robert Haag, President of FCPCS.  “We applaud their achievements during high school and expect more great things as they move forward with their future educational endeavors.” 

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools acknowledges the meaningful support it receives for the Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarship Program from EGIS Insurance & Risk Advisors of Boca Raton.  The company sponsored four of the scholarships and is a preferred partner of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools.  Eight of the scholarships are sponsored by FCPCS. 

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary as part of the 2024-2025 school year, the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state.  Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven. FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools. 

Eighteen Charter School Champions of the Year Win State Awards

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Presents Twelfth Year of Statewide Awards Program 

(Photo caption of Charter School Champions follows the photos.)

PHOTO CAPTION OF CHARTER SCHOOL CHAMPIONS, (ALL HOLDING AWARD TROPHIES) – TOP ROW: Areon Atkinson, Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School; Candice Britton, Championship Academy of Distinction; Camille Caudill, Nature Coast Middle School; Sean Gordon, Collegiate High School; SECOND ROW: Larry Kimpel, Oakland Avenue Charter School; Jennifer Lively, Spring Creek Charter School; Sylvia Mencner, St. Johns Classical Academy; Donna Nieschwietz, Tallahassee Classical School; THIRD ROW: Sevasti Varitimidis, Athenian Academy Charter School; Vivian Bryant, Franklin Academy Pembroke Pines; Wendi Nolder, Odyssey Charter School; Stanley Kroh, Learning Gate Community School; FOURTH ROW: Heidi LoCicero, Destin High School; Pascale Royale, Imagine Weston; Dogan Tozoglu, River City Science Academy Schools; Elizabeth Villanueva, Mascotte Charter School; FIFTH ROW: Constance Ortiz, Odyssey Charter School

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  (June 5, 2025) – Eighteen winners of the Charter School Champions of the Year Awards for 2025 were announced today by the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS).  The award period covers the 2024/2025 school year calendar. 

For the twelfth year, FCPCS received nominations in several categories, including charter school teachers, charter school leaders, charter school governing board members, charter school innovators and charter school pioneers. 

2025 Charter School Champions of the Year come from all parts of Florida and represent schools at grade levels ranging from kindergarten through high school.  Nine Champions of the Year are teachers, three are school leaders, three are governing board members, two are charter school pioneers and one is a charter school innovator. 

Listed alphabetically by category, winners of the 2025 Charter School Champions of the Year Awards are: 

--Charter School Champions of the Year – Teachers

Areon Atkinson, PE Coach and PE Department Head, Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School, Tampa

Candice Britton, Instructional Coach, Championship Academy of Distinction, Hollywood

Camille Caudill, Teacher, Nature Coast Middle School, Chiefland

Sean Gordon, Biology Instructor, Collegiate High School, Niceville

Larry Kimpel, PE Teacher, Oakland Avenue Charter School, Oakland

Jennifer Lively, 5th Grade Science Teacher, Spring Creek Charter School, Paisley

Sylvia Mencner, Kindergarten Teacher, St. Johns Classical Academy, Orange Park

Donna Nieschwietz, 4th Grade Teacher, Tallahassee Classical School, Tallahassee

Sevasti Varitimidis, Foreign Language Teacher, Athenian Academy Charter School, Clearwater 

--Charter School Champions of the Year – School Leaders

Vivian Bryant, Assistant Principal, Franklin Academy – Pembroke Pines, Pembroke Pines

Dr. Janjay Gehndyu, Principal, Visible Men Academy, Bradenton

Wendi Nolder, Principal, Odyssey Charter School, Palm Bay 

--Charter School Champions of the Year – Governing Board Members

Stanley Kroh, Board Member, Learning Gate Community School, Lutz

Heidi LoCicero, Board Member, Destin High School, Destin

Pascale Royale, Board Member, Imagine Weston, Weston 

--Charter School Champions of the Year – Pioneers

Dogan Tozoglu, Co-Founder and Executive Director, River City Science Academy Schools, Jacksonville

Elizabeth Villanueva, Former Board Member, Mascotte Charter School, Mascotte 

--Charter School Champions of the Year – Innovator

Constance Ortiz, Founder, Odyssey Charter School, Palm Bay 

“Congratulations to the 2025 Charter School Champions, and to their schools and communities,” said Robert Haag, FCPCS President.  “Each is an important contributor to Florida’s hugely successful charter school movement.  All of them help to deliver quality education to many of Florida’s charter school students.” 

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary as part of the 2024-2025 school year, the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state.  Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven. FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools.