For our students and families in Florida, here is what you need to know:

Compulsory age of attendance in your state is: 6-16

In your state, Bridge operates as a: Private School

Which means, when enrolled with us, your student would be considered a: Private School Student

Your requirements after enrolling with us will be: nothing!

ESAs/Scholarship Funds? 
Florida offers multiple options for ESA and Scholarship funds for home education parents, including the FES-UA and FES-PEP Scholarship. Bridge Academy can accept these scholarship funds for tuition (you can find us on the EMA Marketplace for the Step-Up Scholarship as well), but depending on the scholarship, you may need to be registered as a homeschooler with your district for approval. Please reach out individually for information if you use a FL Scholarship.

You should also be aware of the following:
* If you are transferring your child from a public or private school, you will need to submit a withdrawal form to the school, as well as submit a records transfer request so that Bridge Academy can complete your child’s transfer. We have forms for these steps inside our Parent Portal that you can access once you have enrolled.
* If your child has a current IEP, we will need a copy of this to add to your child’s file. Please be aware that because we are a virtual school, we cannot fulfill any support services that may currently be a part of your child’s plan (however, we find that most support needs that are required for a neurodiverse child in a classroom are often unnecessary once they are home and learning in a less restrictive environment). 
* In Florida, state law allows homeschoolers to participate in sports and interscholastic activities with local public schools, but does not regulate whether or not private school students are eligible to participate. Therefore, this would be up to the individual school to grant permission for your child to participate. If this is something you desire, Bridge Academy will offer whatever documentation or support needed to help you make that request to the local school.