Orange County Public Schools

This program offers students attending, or assigned to attend, failing public schools the option to be placed in a higher-performing public school or a participating private school. Eligible schools for the Opportunity Scholarship transfer option have been designated as earning a grade of “F” or three consecutive “Ds” based on the state’s accountability system. For additional Opportunity Scholarship transfer information, parents may call School Choice Services at 407-317-3484.

Magnet programs have been established in many OCPS schools to provide quality options for students. They provide rich, educational environments for students to engage in specific and intense areas of study, and allow students to explore areas of interest and develop academic skill sets. Most accept students from across the district, while others only accept students from specific schools. The application window for magnet programs and magnet schools is from Nov. 1 to Feb. 15 of each year. For a complete list of magnet programs, eligibility information and application procedures, please visit the School Choice Services website at schoolchoice.ocps.net or call 407.317.3484.

Orange County Virtual School (OCVS) offers full-time and part-time enrollment to students in grades K-12 through an online educational delivery system. Home-educated students in grades K-12 may enroll as well. OCVS offers equitable access to high-quality, individualized education through the internet. Virtual learning provides flexibility of time and location, and promotes the development of skills, attitudes and self-discipline necessary to succeed in the 21st century.

OCVS teachers and guidance counselors live locally and are sensitive to the diverse needs of Orange County students. OCVS teachers have consistently demonstrated successful student course completion. As a public school, OCVS does not charge tuition fees.

To enhance the virtual school experience for students, OCVS offers traditional extracurricular activities to provide students with opportunities to collaborate with their teachers and classmates. OCVS offers the following face-to-face extracurricular activities:

• Book Club
• College planning seminars
• Community service activities
• Do Something” Club
• Elementary Chess Club
• Field trips
• Fitness Club
• Formal graduation ceremony for seniors
• International Club
• Monthly enrichment “work days”
• National Honor Society (NHS)
• National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)
• Open house
• PTSA/SAC
• Science Club
• Art Club
• Math Club

OCVS is a franchise partner of Florida Virtual School for elementary, middle and high school curriculums. In addition, OCVS partners with K12 Florida LLC, Fuel Education, Pearson, Accelerate Ed, eDynamic Learning and Edgenuity for its elementary and middle school programs.

OCVS is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA). For information regarding enrollment, visit the OCVS website or call 407.317.3327.

The purpose of the Home Education Program is to allow parents to comply with the compulsory school attendance law while teaching their children at home. To begin a Home Education program, a parent must provide written notice to the district school superintendent of intent to establish and maintain a Home Education program for students ages 6 through 18, and up to 21 with an IEP. The parent assumes the responsibility for providing curriculum, educational materials, and evaluations necessary for correspondence courses, or other means to provide the sequentially progressive instruction. Requirements of the Home Education Program and all forms for currently enrolled Home Education students, may be found at www.homeeducation.ocps.net.

Charter schools are public schools that operate under a performance contract, or a “charter,” which frees them from many regulations created for traditional public schools while holding them accountable for academic and financial results. The charter contract between the charter school governing board and the sponsor details the school’s mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment and ways to measure success. Charter Schools are often designed to target specialized or underserved populations. They receive state tax dollars to operate and are monitored by the local school district. During the 2019-2020 school year, 41 charter schools were in operation and served approximately 15,000 students in Orange County.

For additional information on charter schools, contact the School Choice Services office at 407.317.3484, extensions 2022598 or 2022677, or visit schoolchoice.ocps.net.

The Teenage Parent Program is an educational program that provides support to students who are either pregnant or students who are mothers or fathers. When teenage parents participate in the Teenage Parent Program curriculum, they qualify for funded child care. These students can have consistent, secure child care from a licensed provider of their choice while they attend school and progress toward earning their high school diploma. The Teen Parent Program can occur at the student’s zoned school or a student can be enrolled at the BETA School. At the zoned school, skilled teachers work with the teen parents in a group before or after school, one day each week for an hour. High school students can earn 1/2 credit for the Parenting Skill Course via Orange County Virtual School. This program is offered in every OCPS high school. At OCPS middle schools, charter schools, and alternative education centers, a teacher will be appointed upon request or as needed.