Several Florida Public Schools Consider Closure as Parental Choice Increases

With parental choice driving the growth of charter and private schools in Florida, many public schools in the state are facing closures.

As Florida’s population continues to increase, public school enrollment is decreasing, showcasing a potential model that Governor Ron DeSantis hopes other states will adopt, as reported by Politico.

“We need significant changes nationwide,” DeSantis stated at the Florida Homeschool Convention in Kissimmee. “Florida has set an example, and we can serve as a model for other states to implement similar policies.”

In March of 2023, DeSantis signed legislation that promotes school choice by removing financial eligibility restrictions and enrollment caps.

“Florida leads in education freedom and choice, and this bill signing marks the largest expansion of education choice in U.S. history,” DeSantis announced.

The conservative approach to education is to have funding follow the child, and DeSantis has leveraged his popularity and Republican control to drive growth in private schools and decrease public school enrollment.

Broward County Public Schools, the state’s second largest district, has over 49,000 empty classroom seats and is contemplating closing up to 42 campuses. Miami-Dade County public schools have also experienced a decline in enrollment.

Opinions differ on the reasons for this shift, with some attributing it to school responses during the 2020 lockdowns, while others point to districts’ adoption of “woke” policies.

Market economics and the movement away from public schools have also played a role, with over 600 private schools established in Florida since 2013, attracting nearly 120,000 students.

“If your product is superior, you’ll thrive. Public schools are outdated monopolies with limited options, leading parents to choose alternatives,” said Chris Moya, a Florida lobbyist representing charter schools, speaking to Politico.