Florida Public Charter Schools to Participate in “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!” Jan. 26-30, 2026 

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

DAVIE, Fla. (January 7, 2026) –Many of Florida’s public charter schools are expected to take part in “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!” slated for January 26-30, 2026.  

Member schools of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) are encouraged to participate in the 2026 celebration, which is the eighteenth annual statewide program dedicated to literacy-related events.  It is a program of the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and Just Read, Florida!, the FDOE’s statewide reading initiative.  

The theme of this year’s Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! program is “Read, White and Blue; Celebrating 250 Chapters of America” in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  

FDOE encourages all Florida schools to participate in reading books related to workforce education, including books about architecture, construction and engineering, in an effort to connect with the Get There Workforce Education Initiative of Gov. Ron DeSantis.  

FDOE is also encouraging Florida school districts to coordinate with charter schools they sponsor to encourage their participation in Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!  

Many of Florida’s public charter schools have participated in “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!” during previous years, according to FCPCS President Robert Haag.  

“Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! is an excellent program to increase reading among students at Florida’s public charter schools,” said Haag.  “The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools encourages our member schools to be part of the 2026 celebration.” 

More information is available by visiting https://www.fldoe.org/academics/standards/just-read-fl/celebrate-literacy-week/.

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.

Member Schools of Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Designated Purple Star Schools of Distinction by the State of Florida 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (November 12, 2025) – Seven member schools of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) have earned the prestigious Purple Star Schools of Distinction Designation from the State of Florida for providing additional support, resources and services to military-connected students and their families.  

Established in 2021 by the Florida Legislature and Governor, the Purple Star Schools of Distinction program is administered by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE).  According to information from FDOE, “the purpose of the program is to recognize schools that support the unique needs of military families, help military-connected students navigate critical challenges and provide resources for military-connected students when transitioning to a new school environment.” 

Listed alphabetically, the seven FCPCS member schools recognized with a Purple Star Schools of Distinction Designation are:

--Beulah Academy of Science, Pensacola

--Sarasota Military Academy, Sarasota

--Seaside Charter Beaches, Jacksonville

--Seaside Charter Mandarin, Jacksonville

--Seaside Charter North, Jacksonville

--Sigsbee Charter School, Key West

--The College of the Florida Keys, Key West 

Schools designated Purple Star Schools of Distinction retain the recognition for three school years. 

“Congratulations to our FCPCS-member schools designated as Purple Star Schools of Distinction,” said Robert Haag, President of FCPCS.  “We applaud their commitment to students and families with connections to the U.S. Military, and we appreciate the extra attention they give to the families of Floridians who serve our country.” 

Details on requirements for recognition as a Purple Star School of Distinction Designation can be found on the program’s website, here: https://www.fldoe.org/schools/family-community/activities-programs/parental-involvement/purple-star.stml.  For more information, contact [email protected]. 

If your school has achieved the Purple Star School of Distinction Designation and is not listed, please contact us at [email protected].

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.

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.