Private School Option Details
Although most private schools operate in much the same manner as public schools do, i.e., age segregated
classrooms, where all students meet together daily, that type of setting is not part of what is required.
In the state of Florida, private schools operate independently of public schools and the federal or
state Departments of Education. The Florida Department of Education guidelines state it very clearly:
“Private schools are not licensed, approved, accredited, or regulated by the state. Private schools are solely
responsible for all aspects of their educational programs. This includes the following: certification, qualification
and training of teachers, content and comprehensiveness of the curriculum, student assessment, academic
credits, grades, graduation, or promotion requirements and student record content.”
As the name would suggest, Families of Faith Christian Academy International is in fact a private
school, even though it was started by what most people call “homeschoolers.” Some have said we put the
“school” in homeschooling. However, it should be noted that, as a private school, FFCA maintains high
standards for the students and families who choose to enroll. Explained in the enrollment section of the
Families of Faith Christian Academy section of this web site. Also, FFCA is fully accredited by the Florida Coalition of Christian Private School Association,
Inc.
There are several requirements all Florida private schools must meet:
1) Maintain a register of student enrollment and attendance. FFCA provides the enrollment and attendance
forms needed by the parent to document 180 days of academic progress per year. The enrollment must be
renewed each year and the attendance records turned into the school office for every 45 days of academics.
Any family that does not re-enroll each year or turn in attendance records timely is considered truant and
will be withdrawn from the school.
2) File an annual database survey with the Florida Department of Education. This is for census purposes
only. It contains no names or addresses of students, as this is private information and cannot be released
without the parent’s or legal guardian’s written permission. The survey allows the state to track the number
of students in each grade that are enrolled in public, private, and homeschool programs. Be assured that
your student’s records are protected, and no government agency has the legal authority to view anything except
the attendance record and immunization card. At FFCA we keep the attendance and health files separated
from the student’s academic and test information.
3) Maintain the student’s cumulative folder indefinitely unless it is formally requested by another school.
The cum folder contains all academic records, i.e., grades, as well as a copy of his or her birth certificate,
school entrance physical, and immunization record. It is important for parents to note that if they later
move their student to a different school, they must inform the new school to request their student’s records.
If you tell them you have been homeschooling, they will have no way of knowing they need to ask for the
records. If the student has been enrolled in any other public or private school, the cum folder is simply requested
by FFCA and maintained. If the student has no previous school records, the parents will need to
provide a copy of the Birth Certificate, School Entrance Physical, and HRS Immunization Card with the
application.
Additional Requirements Set by the Private School
Above are some of the requirements that all schools must meet. Private schools have additional requirements, most commonly involving testing and required academics. Campus-based schools may also require specific dress codes, sports preparation, or chapel.