Member Schools of Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Take Center Stage at Florida Charter School Conference + School Choice Summit

Photo Caption: Student musicians from Indian River Charter High School perform in the Exhibit Hall on the opening day of the recent Florida Charter School Conference + School Choice Summit in Orlando.

Photo Caption: Trisha Leitem (left), Director of Services at Building Hope, with Sherard Parker, Executive Director of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) at the Exhibit Hall during the recent Florida Charter School Conference + School Choice Summit.  Building Hope is a Preferred Partner of FCPCS.

ORLANDO, Fla. (October 29, 2025) – The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) stood out at the recent Florida Charter School Conference + School Choice Summit in Orlando, where it built meaningful connections with leaders from many of its member charter schools and supported musical performances by their students. 

Held at the Caribe Royale Orlando, the Conference brought together hundreds of charter school educators for training and networking opportunities.  FCPCS members participated in general sessions and breakout programs, plus they toured a packed exhibit hall, where FCPCS was again represented at its booth by Executive Director Sherard Parker, among others. 

Opening day for the Conference and the Exhibit Hall was highlighted by a jazz performance from student musicians attending Indian River Charter High School of Vero Beach, Fla.  Indian River Charter High School is a member of FCPCS, which linked school representatives with conference organizers.  The opening General Session performance was by students from Orlando Science Schools of Orlando, Fla.  Orlando Science Schools is a member of FCPCS.  The closing General Session performance was by students from Ivy Hawn Charter School for the Arts in Lake Helen, Fla., north of DeLand.  Ivy Hawn Charter School for the Arts is also a member of FCPCS. 

“Students from FCPCS member schools took center stage at the Florida Charter School Conference + School Choice Summit,” said Sherard Parker, Executive Director of FCPCS.  “We’re extremely pleased with our member schools’ participation in creating meaningful experiences for the students and helping to make the Conference a big success.” 

Florida’s charter school movement now numbers 732 schools with 406,832 students enrolled for the 2024/2025 school year.  For more than 25 years, FCPCS has paved the way for the growth of charter schools in Florida.  It is the leading charter school membership organization in the state. 

“The success of Florida’s public charter schools comes from sharing information at events like Florida’s Charter School Conference + School Choice Summit,” said FCPCS President Robert Haag.  “That’s why FCPCS was created and why our member schools are actively engaged in the work of our organization.” 

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools

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.

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Reinforces its Involvement at 2025 Florida Charter School Governance Conference 

For Second Consecutive Year, FCPCS Executive Director Sherard Parker Attends and Presents at Conference 

DAVIE, Fla. (September 12, 2025) – Leaders and members of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) reinforced their involvement at this year’s Florida Charter School Governance Conference, which again focused on serving the needs of charter school leaders and governing board members throughout the State of Florida.  

FCPCS continued its partnership with the Florida Charter Institute at the fourth annual Florida Charter School Governance Conference, held Saturday, Sept. 6 on the campus of Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School in Tampa.  According to the Florida Charter Institute, charter school leaders and governing board members attended to gain practical strategies, expert insights and tools to strengthen school operations and oversight.

Breakout sessions at the Florida Charter School Governance Conference addressed topics that impact charter school governance across the state.  For the second consecutive year, FCPCS Executive Director Sherard Parker attended the conference and delivered a breakout session presentation.  Parker’s topic this year was, “Onboarding New Board Members – What Do They Need to Know.” 

Many representatives of FCPCS member schools had the opportunity to network and collaborate with fellow charter school leaders and governing board members from across Florida.  The event was free and open to the public.  

“FCPCS wants to thank its many member school representatives who participated in this year’s Florida Charter School Governance Conference,” said Sherard Parker.  “We heard from many of them who said they gained valuable insights and appreciated the opportunity to network with others from Florida’s charter schools.” 

Established in 2022, the Florida Charter Institute is geared to furthering the success of charter schools and assisting families who seek quality education choices.  Its team of experts is committed to elevating student success by advancing academic and operational excellence at Florida’s charter schools. 

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.

Florida Public Charter Schools to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, 2025 

Member Schools of Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Encouraged to Participate 

DAVIE, Fla. (September 10, 2025) – Many of Florida’s 732 public charter schools are expected to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, 2025. 

Member schools of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) are encouraged to participate in the 2025 celebration, which includes student and educator contests organized by the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida. 

This year’s student art and essay contests are based on the theme, “Celebrating Florida’s Hispanic Heritage.” 

The Student Art Contest is open to all kindergarten through third-grade students in Florida, including students at Florida’s charter schools.  Participating students should submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year’s theme.  Four statewide winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a $100 gift card for school supplies and a 1-year pass to Florida state parks. 

The Student Essay Contest is open to all fourth through twelfth-grade students in Florida, including students at Florida’s public charter schools.  Participating students should submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme and written in English.  Six winners will be selected from Florida elementary schools, middle schools and high schools.  Each winner will receive a 2-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $100 gift card for school supplies. 

The Excellence in Education Award is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle or high school in Florida, including charter schools.  Nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian or student.  Four winners will be selected.  Each will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida. 

The deadline for entries or nominations in all of the contests is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. 

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools encourages our member schools to be part of the 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month celebration,” said FCPCS President Robert Haag.  “Many of Florida’s public charter schools have participated in past years.” 

Contest entry information, nomination forms with guidelines and links for online submissions are available at https://floridahispanicheritage.com/. 

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.

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Congratulates its Member, Seacoast Collegiate High School, on the Grand Opening of its New School Facilities at Northwest Florida State College South Walton Center 

FCPCS Executive Director Sherard Parker Attended the Grand Opening Event

PHOTO CAPTION: Supporters of Seacoast Collegiate High School and others attend a ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of the newly-expanded Northwest Florida State College South Walton Center, home to facilities for Seacoast Collegiate High School. / Courtesy Seacoast Collegiate High School 

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (September 3, 2025) – The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) applauds a new era of education in Walton County with the grand opening of Northwest Florida State College South Walton Center, home to facilities for FCPCS-member Seacoast Collegiate High School, part of Seaside School. 

FCPCS Executive Director Sherard Parker attended the recent ribbon cutting and grand opening, and congratulated school leaders. 

“Seaside School is one of Florida’s first and most successful public charter schools, and FCPCS congratulates Seacoast Collegiate High School on its new facilities at Northwest Florida State College South Walton Center,” said Parker.  “Seacoast Collegiate High School students will be the big winners here, as they take advantage of this state-of-the-art facility geared toward learning for the future.” 

According to a press release from the school, the new facility represents a dynamic partnership between Seacoast Collegiate High School and Northwest Florida State College.  The College will use its facilities to provide high school students with direct-access to college level instruction, labs, workforce training and advanced academic pathways. 

The Center will serve more than 500 students across the high school and college this fall, with the capacity for more significant growth in the coming years.  The expansion comes during a historic milestone year for the Seaside School, celebrating its 30th year in operation. 

“This center is more than a building, it’s a bold investment in the future of Walton County,” said Tom Miller, Executive Director of Seaside School.  “Together with Northwest Florida State College, we’re creating a center that expands access, inspires achievement and prepares our students to lead in a rapidly changing world.” 

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.