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Florida Public Charter Schools to Celebrate Black History Month During February, 2026
Member Schools of Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Encouraged to Participate
DAVIE, Fla. (January 30, 2026) – Many of Florida’s public charter schools are expected to celebrate Black History Month during February, 2026. Member schools of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) are encouraged to participate in the 2026 celebration, which includes Student and Educator Contests organized by the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida.
This year, student art and essay contests are based on the theme, “Celebrating Black History.”
The Black History Month Art Contest is open to all kindergarten through third-grade students in Florida, including students at Florida’s charter schools. According to the Florida Department of Education, each student will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on the theme. Four statewide winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a $200 gift card for school supplies and a 1-year pass to Florida state parks.
The Black History Month Essay Contest is open to all fourth through twelfth-grade students in Florida, including students at Florida’s charter schools. The Florida Department of Education press release notes each student will submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme. 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 $200 gift card for school supplies.
The Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Black History Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle or high school in Florida, including charter schools. According to the Florida Department of Education, four winners will be selected and will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida.
Nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian or student. The deadline for entries in all of the contests is 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. Many of Florida’s public charter schools have participated in Black History Month during previous years, according to FCPCS President Robert Haag.
“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools is a strong supporter of the Florida Department of Education’s program to honor Black History Month, said Haag. FCPCS encourages our member schools to be part of the 2026 Black History Month celebration,” said Haag.
Student and Educator contest entries and nomination forms and guidelines are available at http://floridablackhistory.com.
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. |
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Principal Wesley Locke of Spring Creek Charter School in Paisley, Fla. is Honored with Principal Leadership Award for 2025-2026 by Florida TaxWatch
Spring Creek Charter School is a Member School of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS)
PAISLEY, Fla. (January 29, 2026) – The Principal of Spring Creek Charter School in Paisley, Fla., in northeastern Lake County, has been honored with a Principal Leadership Award from Florida TaxWatch for the 2025-2026 school year. Spring Creek Charter School is a member of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS).
Wesley Locke, who is currently serving his tenth year as principal, is one of 15 principals from public schools located throughout Florida to be recognized with a Principal Leadership Award. He is the only Lake County principal honored with a Principal Leadership Award.
According to Florida TaxWatch, the Principal Leadership Awards program, “identifies principals around the state who have had the greatest impact on their students, in parts of the state where educational success can transform a community.” The awards program is Florida’s only data-driven principal recognition initiative. It analyzes student performance data over several consecutive years.
In a statement on the Spring Creek Charter School website, Principal Locke wrote, “Over the last two years the staff and students at Spring Creek have worked tirelessly to improve student achievement and growth. This past year's scores show that we are making significant learning gains and filling in learning gaps created by the COVID pandemic. We are up for the challenges in front of us, and we are striving to make this school year our best ever!”
“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools congratulates Principal Wesley Locke of Spring Creek Charter School for receiving a Principal Leadership Award from Florida TaxWatch,” said Robert Haag, President of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools. “Principal Locke exemplifies the strong leadership that has guided Florida’s charter school movement to greatness.”
Florida TaxWatch is a nonpartisan, independent 501(c)(3) organization devoted to public policy research to uncover innovative ideas and policies that can make Florida a national example.
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. |
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Florida Public Charter Schools to Celebrate National School Choice Week, Jan. 25-31, 2026
Member Schools of Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Encouraged to Participate
DAVIE, Fla. (January 8, 2026) – Many of Florida’s public charter schools will be among the tens of thousands of families, students, schools and organizations to participate in this year’s National School Choice Week, slated for January 26 through January 31, 2026.
National School Choice Week promotes all forms of school choice, including public charter schools, private schools, district schools, magnet schools and home schools. According to the organization’s website, “National School Choice Week recognizes all K-12 options. It is the world’s largest annual celebration of opportunity in education.”
Each year, more than 20,000 schools participate in the celebration of National School Choice Week. They hold a variety of events, including open houses, fairs, rallies, and spirit weeks to promote educational freedom and quality learning environments. Interested potential participants can obtain more information and sign up at https://schoolchoiceweek.com/faq/.
A significant number of Florida’s public charter schools have participated in National School Choice Week in recent years, according to FCPCS President Robert Haag.
“National School Choice Week increases awareness of public charter schools in Florida and boosts understanding of the role of public charter schools in Florida education,” said Haag. “The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools encourages our member schools to be part of National School Choice Week in 2026.”
For more information about National School Choice Week, visit https://schoolchoiceweek.com/
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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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