How to Start Homeschooling in Florida
Traditional Homeschooling
You lead the learning. You set the pace, choose the curriculum, and homeschool under Florida law.
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Notice of Intent: File once with your county (Hillsborough or Polk)
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Legal Requirements: Keep a portfolio, perform annual evaluation
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Flexibility: You choose scope, schedule, and materials
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PCHC Support: classes, connection, planning help
Public School at Home
(FLVS / District Virtual)
You stay enrolled in public school but attend online. Your school is the district/FL virtual program.
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FLVS Full Time is Florida’s tuition-free online public K–12 school.
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FLVS Flex / a la carte courses: enroll in individual classes, supplement your homeschool curriculum.
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Structure & oversight: you follow their calendar, pacing, and assessments
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Diploma & credits: earn accredited credits; FLVS issues a diploma if you complete the requirements
Step Up For Students /
Scholarship-Funded Route
You use state scholarships or education savings accounts (ESA) to fund private schooling, approved vendors, or hybrid models.
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Offers multiple scholarship types (PEP, FES-EO, FES-UA, FTC, and more) so you can mix, match, and find what works for your family
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PEP (Personalized Education Program) through Step Up allows homeschoolers to access funds to pay for curriculum, services, or private courses.
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Private School Scholarships (FTC / FES-EO / ESA) can fund private school tuition and related educational services.
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Unique Abilities (UA / FES-UA) option for students with special needs or diagnoses. Funds can cover therapy, tutoring, private school, and more.
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Requirements: may need a Student Learning Plan (SLP), assessments, and withdrawal from any already established home education program (if applicable)
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Flexibility: you can mix and match (hire tutors, pay for programs) within rules
Traditional Homeschooling
Homeschooling the traditional way means you lead the learning. You decide what, when, and how your child learns, and Florida law gives you the freedom to do it your way.
Getting Started:
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File a Notice of Intent with your county school district:
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If you're from another county, visit your county's site
You’ll list your child’s name, birthdate, and address. It’s quick and only done once when you begin.
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Keep a simple portfolio. This is just samples of work, project notes, or photos that show progress.
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Complete an annual evaluation. This can be done through:
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A certified teacher review
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A standardized test
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Or another method you agree on with your district
Learn more at the Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA).
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Why Families Choose This Path
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Maximum flexibility and freedom
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Parent-directed pace and curriculum
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More time for family, creativity, and real-world learning
Perfect for: Families who want full control of their child’s education while staying independent from public or scholarship systems.
How PCHC Helps
At Plant City Homeschool Collective, we fill in the gaps, offering:
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Hands-on enrichment classes
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Field trips, community events, and social time
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Parent connection and support
Join with a PCHC Membership or come to a session to see homeschooling in action!
Public School at Home (FLVS & District Virtual)
For families who want to stay enrolled in public school but learn from home, Florida offers free virtual options through Florida Virtual School (FLVS) and district-managed virtual programs.
Two Main Options
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FLVS Full Time
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A fully online public school program. Your child is enrolled in FLVS as their school of record.
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Follows the traditional school calendar and pacing.
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Students must log in daily for live lessons or check-ins.
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Teachers grade assignments and maintain attendance.
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Students earn official transcripts and diplomas from FLVS.
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FLVS Flex
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A more flexible option for homeschoolers or part-time learners.
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Choose individual courses à la carte.
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Work ahead or slow down as needed. No fixed daily log-ins.
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Parents act as the official “teacher of record.”
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Great for supplementing a homeschool program or filling gaps.
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Why Families Choose This Path
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Free, accredited online education with certified teachers
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Access to electives and advanced courses not easily taught at home
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Fits families who want structure and accountability, without commuting
Perfect for: Families who prefer online learning but still want the benefits of public school support and reporting.
How PCHC Helps
Even if you’re enrolled virtually, PCHC can add the real-world connection your child craves:
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Local meetups, social learning days, events, and life-skills enrichment
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A built-in community of other hybrid and online learners
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Optional volunteer and leadership opportunities
Step Up for Students
(Scholarship-Funded Route)
Florida’s Step Up for Students (SUFS) program helps families fund their child’s education through state scholarships or education savings accounts (ESAs). It’s a powerful way to customize learning by using public funds for private or home-based education options.
The Main Programs
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PEP – Personalized Education Program
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Designed for home-educating families who want flexibility and financial support.
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Funds can be used for curriculum, educational supplies, tutors, and approved programs.
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Families must create a Student Learning Plan (SLP) and submit annual evaluations.
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Private School Scholarships
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Programs like FES-EO or FTC provide scholarships that cover private school tuition, uniforms, and services.
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You’ll enroll in a participating private school, and Step Up pays the school directly.
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Why Families Choose This Path
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Access to education funding for materials, classes, or tuition
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Flexibility to blend home education with private programs
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Control over how funds are used while still meeting accountability standards
Perfect for: Families who want homeschool freedom with financial help to enhance learning opportunities.
How PCHC Helps
PCHC is a Step Up-eligible vendor (once onboarding opens), allowing families to use PEP funds toward:
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Enrichment classes
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Workshops & field trips
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Community-based learning experiences
We’ll guide you as funding systems open and make sure your family can take full advantage.
Compare Your Options
Feature | Traditional Homeschooling | Public School at Home (FLVS) | Step Up for Students (PEP / Scholarship) |
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Accountability | Annual evaluation only | Standardized tests, attendance, teacher grading | Light accountability. Submit learning plan & evaluation once a year |
Accreditation | Optional. Parents may choose accredited curricula or umbrella schools for transcript support | Automatically accredited through FLVS (public school system) | Optional. Parents may use scholarship funds for accredited or non-accredited programs. Your choice of path, materials, and recordkeeping. |
Cost | Out-of-pocket | Free (publicly funded) | Funded by the state. Covers curriculum, classes, and approved materials |
Curriculum Choice | 100% Parent-selected | Set by FLVS / district | 100% Parent-selected. You choose what to buy using state-provided funds |
Daily Schedule | Fully flexible | Follows school calendar (Full Time) or self-paced (Flex) | Fully flexible. You decide pace, schedule, and resources |
Diploma / Credits | Parent-issued or umbrella school | FLVS issues transcripts & diploma from FL DOE | Parent or private school issues diploma depending on setup |
Enrollment Status | Home education program | Public school student | PEP student (independent but funded) or private school scholarship student |
Perfect For | Families wanting total independence | Families wanting structure & FL DOE accreditation | Families wanting homeschool freedom plus financial support for extras |
Recordkeeping | Parent keeps portfolio & annual evaluation | FLVS manages all grades & records | Simple progress check-ins and a yearly evaluation through Step Up |
Who Oversees Learning | Parent / Guardian | Certified Public School Teachers | Parent (you’re still in charge) with light reporting through Step Up |
Quick Notes & Helpful Links
We’re here to help you start strong, but we’re not the official source for every regulation or policy. Everything is subject to change.
As of October 2025 - Here’s what to know before you dive in:
Do I have to register somewhere?
If you’re homeschooling traditionally, yes. You’ll file a simple Notice of Intent with your county.
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If you’re using Step Up for Students (PEP or scholarship), registration happens through their portal instead.
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Polk County Home Education Office
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If you aren't in Hillsborough or Polk, locate your county's website.
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Can I mix and match programs?
Absolutely!
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When choosing your curriculum (outside of the FLVS path), you can use a different program for each subject! I've seen blends of Singapore Math, The Good & The Beautiful ELA, and Science through Nature!
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Many families blend traditional homeschooling with FLVS Flex or Step Up-funded classes. Just be sure each path is properly registered and reported where required. EX: If you want to do FLVS while on a Step Up Scholarship, it is considered to be a privately funded path & is no longer free.
Are you a legal or government organization?
No. Plant City Homeschool Collective is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports homeschooling families through enrichment, connection, and resources. We’re a community, not a regulatory body.
Where can I verify requirements for myself?
For the most current Florida laws, forms, and updates:
Final Thought:
Every family’s journey looks a little different, and that’s the beauty of homeschooling in Florida. Start where you are, choose what fits, and let PCHC be your local community for growth, guidance, and friendship.