New Florida Charter School Fact Sheet Shows a Record 408,481 Students Enrolled in Florida’s Public Charter Schools, Representing a Record 14.6 Percent of the Total Number of K-12 Students Enrolled in All Florida Public Schools 

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools notes the 14.6 percent number is up from 13.8 percent last year and the highest percentage in history. 

DAVIE, Fla. (September 2, 2026) – The new Florida Charter School Fact Sheet shows a record 408,481 students enrolled in Florida’s public charter schools during the 2025-26 school year.  408,481 students represents 14.6 percent of the overall number of K-12 students enrolled in Florida public schools, up from 13.8 percent last year and the highest percentage of public charter school students on record. 

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) publishes the annual Florida Charter School Fact Sheet.  For the second year, more than 400,000 students were enrolled in Florida’s public charter schools.  The total number of public charter school students increased by 3,076 students from the previous year. 

“The 14.6 percentage and 408,481 total are records for student enrollment at Florida’s public charter schools,” said Robert Haag, President of FCPCS.  Haag said the new Florida Charter School Fact Sheet is a helpful reference tool for details about the growth and success of charter schools in Florida. 

Florida’s 408,481 public charter school students attend 738 charter schools in 46 Florida counties.  Eight new charter schools opened in Florida during 2025-26. 

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 Florida Charter School Fact Sheet for 2026 is available online at the link or at www.floridacharterschools.org under the tab, “ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS.” 

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools

Charter Schools Lead Florida School Grade Results for 2025 / 2026 School Year

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) points to exceptional performance of Florida’s charter schools in results released by the Florida Department of Education. 

DAVIE, Fla. (July 8, 2026) – Florida’s charter schools led the state for results reported in July from the 2025 / 2026 school year by the Florida Department of Education.  Sixty-one percent of Florida’s charter schools earned an A, compared to 48 percent of district schools, a difference of 13 percentage points. 

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) President Robert Haag said Florida’s charter schools are boosting the momentum of the state’s public school education. 

“FCPCS congratulates our member schools and the entire charter community for continuing to break barriers, raise expectations and deliver remarkable outcomes for students across Florida,” said Haag.  

In addition to strong A grade results for Florida’s charter schools, 78 percent of Florida’s charter schools earned an A or B for the most recent school year, while 76 percent of district schools earned an A or B, up from 71 percent in the 2024 / 2025 school year. 

Also, 68 percent of Florida’s 607 graded charter schools either maintained an A grade or improved their overall grade, while 60 percent of district schools maintained an A grade or improved their grade from last year.  Charter school students outperformed district peers in ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies. 

“The new school grades reinforce what families, educators and communities have seen firsthand for years: Florida’s charter schools continue to deliver strong academic outcomes,” said Haag.  “These results reflect what has become a defining strength of Florida’s charter school sector -- delivering consistent, measurable and student-centered academic performance.” 

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.

Nineteen Charter School Champions of the Year Win State Awards 

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Presents Champions of the Year Awards to Florida Charter School Teachers, Leaders, Governing Board Members and Pioneers 

(A group photo caption of the 2026 Charter School Champions follows the photos.)

PHOTO CAPTION OF CHARTER SCHOOL CHAMPIONS – TOP ROW (left to right): Dallas Georgianna, Franklin Academy Cooper City; Karis Haag-James, Pinecrest Academy Space Coast; Kristin Jeffrey, Rising Leaders Academy; Brittnee Jones, Hope Charter School; SECOND ROW (left to right): Patrick Morton, Pepin Academies; Nicole Puhr, Oakland Avenue Charter School; Rachel Spivey, Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School; Deseree Barnes, Central High School; THIRD ROW (left to right): Deb Berg, Odyssey Charter School; Jessica Martinez, Ocean Studies Charter School; Michelle Kim O’Neal, Spring Creek Charter School; Vanessa Tabb, Altoona School;   FOURTH ROW (left to right): Dr. Andrew Binns, Palm Beach Maritime Academy; Beth Nelson, Altoona School; Dale Simchick, North County Charter School; Susan Latvala, Acadamie Da Vinci Charter School; FIFTH ROW (left to right): Rolando Llanes, President, Civica Architecture; Dr. Ilene Wilkins, UCP of Central Florida and UCP Charter Schools 

DAVIE, Fla. (June 15, 2026) – Nineteen winners of the 2026 Charter School Champions of the Year Awards were announced today by the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS).  This is the thirteenth year of the Charter School Champions awards program, and it covers the 2025/2026 school year calendar.  

2026 Charter School Champions of the Year come from all parts of Florida and represent schools at grade levels ranging from kindergarten through high school.  Seven Champions of the Year are charter school teachers, five are charter school leaders, three are charter school governing board members and four are charter school pioneers. 

Listed alphabetically by category, winners of the 2026 Charter School Champions of the Year Awards are: 

--Charter School Champions of the Year – Teachers

Dallas Georgianna, Second Grade Teacher, Franklin Academy Cooper City

Karis Haag-James, STEM Teacher, Pinecrest Academy Space Coast, Melbourne

Kristin Jeffrey, Teacher, Rising Leaders Academy, Panama City

Brittnee Jones, Third Grade Teacher, Hope Charter School, Ocoee

Patrick Morton, Teacher, Pepin Academies, Tampa

Nicole Puhr, Math Coach/Intervention Specialist, Oakland Avenue Charter School, Oakland

Rachel Spivey, Science Instructor, Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School, Tampa

--Charter School Champions of the Year – School Leaders

Deseree Barnes, Assistant Principal, Central High School, Panama City

Deb Berg, Assistant Principal, Odyssey Charter School, Palm Bay

Jessica Martinez, Assistant Principal, Ocean Studies Charter School, Key Largo

Michelle Kim O’Neal, Assistant Principal, Spring Creek Charter School, Paisley

Vanessa Tabb, Assistant Principal, Altoona School, Altoona

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

Dr. Andrew Binns, Board Chair, Palm Beach Maritime Academy, Lantana

Beth Nelson, Founding Board Member, Altoona School, Altoona

Dale Simchick, Board Member, North County Charter School, Vero Beach

--Charter School Champions of the Year – Pioneers

Susan Latvala, Board President, Acadamie Da Vinci Charter School, Dunedin

Rolando Llanes, President, Civica Architecture, Doral

Howard Turin, Principal, Turin Construction, Pompano Beach

Dr. Ilene Wilkins, President & CEO, UCP of Central Florida and UCP Charter Schools, Orlando 

“Our Charter School Champions for 2026 are an extraordinary combination of educators, administrators and community leaders, and we congratulate them on their accomplishments on behalf of so many of Florida’s students,” said Robert Haag, FCPCS President.  “Florida’s hugely successful charter school movement is possible because of education professionals like them.  The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools thanks them for everything they do.” 

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.

Twelve Florida Charter High School Graduates Win Prestigious Scholarships from the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) 

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

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (June 9, 2026) – Twelve Florida charter high school graduates have been named recipients of the 2026 Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships 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 graduating college-bound or technical school-bound students from Florida charter schools.  

Recipients of Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships 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 2026 Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships are: 

--Dana Aljubouri, River City Science Academy Middle-High, Jacksonville

--Kezia Alvin, State College of Florida Collegiate School, Bradenton

--D’Jorn Cox, Odyssey Charter School, Palm Bay

--Alisha Drake, Babcock High School, Babcock Ranch

--Andrea Gatson-Saintil, Somerset Preparatory Charter High School, North Lauderdale

--Tyrus Grimes, Destin High School, Destin

--Abigail King, Clark Advanced Learning Center, Stuart

--James Mohan, State College of Florida Collegiate School Venice, Venice

--Andres Mosquera, SLAM North, North Miami Beach

--Daschle Nelson, Pensacola State College Charter Academy, Pensacola

--Anthony Rivas, Pepin Academy, Tampa

--Mateo Suarez, Manatee School for the Arts, Palmetto 

“Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships,” said Robert Haag, President of FCPCS.  “The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools salutes their accomplishments and dedication.  We expect even more great things as they continue with their education.” 

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

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.