Is an umbrella school for me? (Two perspectives below)

http://www.homeschoolingflorida.com/blog/florida-umbrella-schools-dont-use-one/

https://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/umbrella-school/

Hybrid programs or micro-schools may refer to themselves as a "co-ops", but do not function in the traditional sense of a volunteer parent led co-operative.  They are often privately owned, a partnership, have paid staff or contractors and are for profit endeavors.  They may prefer the term co-operative to be free of government oversight as a registered school or to relate to the home education community with their services. In Florida, the terms Micro school, Hybrid, and co-ops are undefined terms in legislative language.  In turn, a school or private program may offer a program to home education students.  If the program meets the criteria defined in the Step Up for Students handbook as a "Home Education Instructional Program" families could get re-imbursed for student participation, your due diligence is required for determining child safety practices and SUFS reimbursement procedures when applicable.

Updated 7/8/24

Private School- Umbrella Options
  • Christian Insitute of Arts and Science-Pensacola
    • A Campus School (5-days-per-week at our brick-and-mortar school facility) as well as the Umbrella School with homeschooled students all across the Florida Panhandle and beyond. We offer a wide variety of classes, from academics to fine arts and physical education. Homeschooled students may attend our Campus School 1-5 days a week, take a class, join a science lab or club, and participate as little or as much as they would like.
  • Florida Unschoolers
  • Hilcrest Academy Freeschool
    • Hillcrest Academy Free School (HAFS) is a private correspondence school designed for home educated students grades PreK-12.
      We are listed at the Florida Department of Education website in the Directory of Private Schools, as required of all private schools in Florida.
      We are located in the Escambia County school district, but we provide an “umbrella” to members in all counties within the state of Florida. We offer our services FREE of charge, but gladly accept donations to cover our operating costs.
  • Home Life Academy
    • HomeLife Academy is a non-traditional K-12 private school and ministry serving thousands of homeschool families for nearly 15 years. Our homeschool diplomas have been accepted by colleges and universities all over the nation, from the University of Central Florida to Ivy League colleges to the Air Force Academy.
  • Risen Star Academy
    • There is no acutal school building and it is up to you to decide on the curriculum used and how and when your children are taught.  We are located in Okaloosa County, but we provide an "umbrella" to members in all counties withing the state of Florida.
  • Rocky Bayou Christian School-Niceville
    • RBCS has two categories of homeschool programs: Umbrella Program and Participation Only Program. Once enrolled in one of the two RBCS Homeschool Assistance Programs, academic opportunities are available on a space available basis. Elementary students (K-6th) may purchase consecutive 3 hour blocks in an RBCS classroom. In the Academy, 7th-12th grade students may purchase individual classes. Educational Therapy may also be purchased. Online Academy options are available to students in grades 3-12. In addition to Academic offerings, students in our Homeschool Assistance Programs have access to many of our Student Life activities including drama productions, athletics, and clubs – all of which maintain Christian discipleship as the primary focus.

Micro or Hybrid Options
  • Christian Insitute of Arts and Science-Pensacola
    • A Campus School (5-days-per-week at our brick-and-mortar school facility) as well as the Umbrella School with homeschooled students all across the Florida Panhandle and beyond. We offer a wide variety of classes, from academics to fine arts and physical education. Homeschooled students may attend our Campus School 1-5 days a week, take a class, join a science lab or club, and participate as little or as much as they would like.
    • accepts Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) /
      Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO)
  • Elite Performance Prep Academy (Freeport, Niceville, Crestview) see website for more informatoion https://www.eliteperformanceprepacademy.com/
  • Farling School of Excellence
    • drop off 2 days a week
  • LightHouse Private Christian Academy
    • A program that combines the best part of Homeschooling with the Accreditation of Lighthouse Private Christian Academy to partner with you.
    • accepts Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) /
      Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO)
  • Montessori Pensacola 5 day program for 1st-8th
    • accepts Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) /
      Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO)
  • Navare Montessori Academy 5 day program, 1:20 ratio grades 1st-6th, partime for younger
  • Paideia Christian Academy
    • Paideia Christian Academy is a homeschool tutorial sponsored by Crown Church. A homeschool tutorial is a hybrid of a homeschool cooperative and a school. Students of Paideia are registered with the county as homeschool students.
      Paideia Christian Academy exist to glorify God! At Paideia, students are taught to think critically, listen carefully, and question thoughtfully. We invest in the training of the whole child, which leads to the cultivation of both their minds and their moral values. Our aim is a complete education, enriching our students intellectually, artistically, and socially. We are producing students who are fully equipped to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives.
  • Prestige Homeschool Academy
    • Our program is built on providing a project-based learning (PBL) environment in small group classes that stimulates both personal and educational growth for your students.  Not only is the teaching approach cutting-edge, the effectiveness of having your child learn from more than one teacher (yourself) in a group of like-minded kids may be the solution you are looking for!  (2 day a week drop off class)
  • Pro Rege Classical Academy
    • PRCA is legally defined as a homeschool cooperative program. Our decision to incorporate under this designation rather than traditional private school incorporation is to limit secular state involvement in the day-to-day activity and curriculum of our Christian institution. This approach allows the leadership of PRCA to more effectively partner with parents to supply the education most fitting for their children and to fulfill our vision of offering every Christian child the Christian education they deserve.
  • Rocky Bayou Christian School-Niceville
    • RBCS has two categories of homeschool programs: Umbrella Program and Participation Only Program. Once enrolled in one of the two RBCS Homeschool Assistance Programs, academic opportunities are available on a space available basis. Elementary students (K-6th) may purchase consecutive 3 hour blocks in an RBCS classroom. In the Academy, 7th-12th grade students may purchase individual classes. Educational Therapy may also be purchased. Online Academy options are available to students in grades 3-12. In addition to Academic offerings, students in our Homeschool Assistance Programs have access to many of our Student Life activities including drama productions, athletics, and clubs – all of which maintain Christian discipleship as the primary focus.
    • accepts Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) /
      Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO)
  • St. Francis
    • In order to provide families with flexibility and independence, St. Francis Classical Academy operates in the state of Florida, not as a private school, but as a homeschool cooperative. Operating in this way allows us more freedom to make scheduling and curriculum choices that are in accord with our aims.
  • Wild Oak See website for more information http://www.wildoakacton.com/

Local Virtual Options
  • Connections Academy
    • Connections Academy is proud to provide two great online school options for families in Florida: Florida Connections Academy and Coastal Connections Academy. -Find a more flexible learning schedule -Pursue a passion like youth athletics, the arts and more -Take academically advanced and college preparatory classes -Receive specialized support to help with learning challenges -Gain real-world career and technical skills -Attend school in a safe and supportive learning environment -Find a public school alternative to homeschooling 
  • Escambia Virtual Academy

    • The Escambia County Virtual School Program is a new and exciting feature of the Escambia County Schools experience.  Our Virtual School Program equips students with 21st century skills by providing online learning with high quality, rigorous academic opportunities. With Virtual School, students and parents have the flexibility, variety, and academic continuity to accommodate numerous lifestyles or unique family circumstances.

  • Florida Flex Online School
    • Florida Virtual School provides Kindergarten-12th grade students with a variety of tuition-free*, flexible online courses. Take true ownership of your education by creating your own schedule and working at your own pace. Public, private, charter, and homeschool students will find the freedom to create their own path at Florida Virtual School.
  • Florida Virtual School (FLVS)
    • FLVS is one of the world’s leading online learning providers that delivers engaging and innovative experiences so students can enjoy a safe, reliable, and flexible education in a supportive environment. Learn more about our school options by grade level.
  • Santa Rosa Online
    • Santa Rosa Online Academy is Santa Rosa County's first full-time online public school serving students in grades K-12.