(The Center Square) – Privately run schools getting taxpayer money are coming to Miami through an 11th hour state budget law.
Success Academy, backed by $50 million from Ken Griffin of the Citadel Enterprise Americas investment firm, is expanding in what Gov. Ron DeSantis calls “just the beginning.” Griffin is a billionaire hedge fund owner. The “schools of hope” qualify for state funding and are able to be within traditional public schools.
The program was created in 2017 to give students in “persistently low-performing schools a pathway to a world-class education,” DeSantis said in a statement. Changed this year on the 105th, and last, day of what had previously been a 60-day legislative session was ability of the schools to locate within traditional public schools.
“The sky is the limit for what they are going to be able to do in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said at a news conference.
Under the School of Hope Initiative, charter schools are eligible for state-backed loans for building costs and operating expenses. The Legislature has appropriated $100 million for the loan fund, according to the Florida Department of Education.
“We believe regardless of where you are from, regardless of how much money your parents have, regardless of your ethnic heritage, that you have an ability to succeed if you are given the proper tools to have a really good education,” Griffin said at the news conference.
Critics say it undermines the public education system, including traditional schools that do well. Charter schools, homeschools and private schools have gained enrollment as traditional public schools have lost it in recent years.
In 2023, Florida became the first state to offer universal school choice regardless of family income. More than 1.8 million students in the state now attend schools based on choice rather than attendance zone.
The state has also provided increased support for home schooling. The state provides funding to parents for tutoring or developing customized curriculum for their children.
Legislation this year gives homeschooled students the chance to participate in public school sports, bands and other activities while keeping their homeschool status, DeSantis said.
“Florida leads the nation in educational freedom, and today we are adding to that promise,” DeSantis said. “With Success Academy opening in Miami, students will now have access to one of the highest-performing education models in the country. Florida’s families deserve world-class education, and we will continue to make it available to every child no matter their zip code.”
