All about Our Florida Online School Options

August 28, 2024 byConnections Academy

3 min to read

A middle school student looking at a tablet

Every child in Florida deserves a great education. For many, that might be in a traditional brick-and-mortar public or private school. However, you might be wondering if your child would be better suited for enrollment in an online school.

What Is Online School in Florida?

Florida has two Connections Academy offerings available. Coastal Connections Academy and Florida Connections Academy. They are both tuition-free online public schools, accredited by the State of Florida, with classes that are taught by credentialed teachers and a curriculum developed by experts in online learning.

Where Is Online School Available in Florida?

Both Florida Connections Academy and Coastal Connections Academy are available for students to enroll as long as they reside in Florida, including Alachua County, Baker County, Bay County, Bradford County, Brevard County, Broward County, Calhoun County, Charlotte County, Citrus County, Clay County, Collier County, Columbia County, DeSoto County, Dixie County, Duval County, Escambia County, Flagler County, Franklin County, Gadsden County, Gilchrist County, Glades County, Gulf County, Hamilton County, Hardee County, Hendry County, Hernando County, Highlands County, Hillsborough County, Holmes County, Indian River County, Jackson County, Jefferson County, Lafayette County, Lake County, Lee County, Leon County, Levy County, Liberty County, Madison County, Manatee County, Marion County, Martin County, Miami-Dade County, Monroe County, Nassau County, Okaloosa County, Okeechobee County, Orange County, Osceola County, Palm Beach County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, Polk County, Putnam County, Santa Rosa County, Sarasota County, Seminole County, St. Johns County, St. Lucie County, Sumter County, Suwannee County, Taylor County, Union County, Volusia County, Wakulla County, Walton County, and Washington County.

Who Can Attend Online School in Florida?

Florida Connections Academy is available to students looking to enroll in kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, or high school. Florida Connections Academy is for studetns who live in Florida and meet eligibility criteria, including age limitations and immunization requirements, and have access to a reliable internet connection in a safe learning environment. Because Florida Connections Academy is authorized by Hillsborough County Public Schools, preference is given to Hillsborough County students, but enrollment is open to any student who resides in Florida. Enrollment capacity is limited; students who apply after capacity has been reached will be placed on a first-come, first-served waitlist.

Florida’s Coastal Connections Academy is open for enrollment to students entering kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade who meet the enrollment criteria, including age limitations and immunization requirements, and have access to a reliable internet connection in a safe learning environment. Enrollment capacity is limited; students who apply after capacity has been reached will be placed on a first-come, first-served waitlist.

How Much Does Online School in Florida Cost?

As an online public school in Florida, Florida Connections Academy and Coastal Connections Academy are both tuition-free, which includes the books and the curriculum. Families are responsible for the costs of school supplies, in-person field trips, and providing their own internet access. However, a hardship internet service subsidy may be provided, as well as a computer, if eligible.

Why Choose Online Public School in Florida?

Students enrolled in Florida Connections Academy or Coastal Connections Academy enjoy the flexibility of online classes, the ability to learn at their own pace, more individualized attention from teachers, and freedom from the distractions present in traditional schools, like bullying. Parents appreciate the ability to be more involved in their children’s education.

What Does Florida Connections Academy Offer?

As an online school in Florida, Florida Connections Academy offers an accredited education with the flexibility to attend classes and do homework on the schedule that works best for your student and your family. Florida Connections Academy offers classes taught by accredited teachers, as well as the availability for greater parental involvement than is possible in traditional brick-and-mortar schools. Connections Academy has also partnered with certain colleges and trade programs to offer a variety of learning tracks in online high school. Florida Connections Academy is NCAA-approved and offers gifted learning programs and Advanced Placement®* courses for high school students.

Florida Connections Academy at a glance:

partners with the University of South Florida (USF) and Miami Dade College for high school students to dual enroll either fully online or a local campus
is NCAA-approved
offers gifted and talented, honors, special education, and Advanced Placement®* courses for high school students
offers gifted and talented programs for elementary and middle school
offers Career and Technical Education courses to high school students
provides Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and a range of special education services

How Long has Florida Connections Academy Been Operating?

Florida Connections Academy has been helping Florida students succeed since 2018.

Is Florida Connections Academy Accredited?

Florida Connections Academy and Coastal Connections Academy are public charter schools. They are accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the Northwest Accreditation Commission, and the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), which are accrediting divisions of Cognia.

Florida Connections Academy is a public charter school. Your student can meet all the high school graduation requirements set forth by the state of Florida.

What Does Coastal Connections Academy Offer?

Similar to Florida Connections Academy, Coastal Connections Academy allows students to complete their schoolwork and lessons any time of the day or night, including weekends, which allows families to work school in around medical appointments, sports, performances, or anything else that would make a traditional school schedule difficult. Students can also work ahead within the current semester, or take extra time if they find a particular chapter/unit/concept to be challenging.

What Grades Are Offered Through Florida Connections Academy and Coastal Connections Academy?

Florida Connections Academy offers classes for K–12 students and Coastal Connections Academy offers classes for K–5 students.

If you’d like to learn more about online school in Florida, including enrollment requirements, contact our enrollment team at 1-833-591-0251 or visit us at Florida Connections Academy or Coastal Connections Academy.

*Advanced Placement® is a registered trademark of the College Board. Used with permission.