Escambia County Public Schools has seen its enrollment drop 1,122 (3%) since the Fall of 2024—from 36,768 to 35,646 students. In 2021, the school district had 37,804 students, and ten years ago, Escambia County public schools had 40,656 students.
The state’s voucher program is having a significant impact on our public school enrollment statewide. As growing numbers of families take advantage of the state’s Florida Empowerment Scholarship program allows them to use state money for private and home schooling.
- Fox News 13 in Tampa reports Pinellas County Schools have already lost about 4,000 students compared to last year, and Hillsborough reports a more than 7,000 student decline from last year. Florida Today reports Brevard County schools have lost 4,578 (6.25) students from 73,577 in fall 2024 to 68,999 this fall.
- In Miami-Dade, the number of students enrolled at the start of school last year was 326,279. This year’s number at the start of school is 313,220 – down 13,059 students (4%)
- Orange County budget planners told their school board that they faced a 7,000 student decline, more than double what they anticipated, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Florida Empowerment Scholarships
The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program (Section 1002.394, Florida Statutes) was initially established to provide children of families in this state, who have limited financial resources with educational options to achieve success in their education. As of the 2023-24 school year, financial eligibility restrictions and the enrollment cap have been eliminated.
- A parent of a student may apply for and receive from the state a scholarship if the student is a Florida resident and is eligible to enroll in kindergarten through grade 12 in a public school in this state. Priority is given first to students whose household income level does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level or who is in foster care or out-of-home care, then to students whose household income level exceeds 185% of the federal poverty level, but does not exceed 400%.
There is no longer a cap on the number of participants in the scholarship law; all K-12 students in Florida are eligible.
What is the average award amount? The scholarship amount for each student is based on their grade level and county of residence. In the 2024-25 school year, the average award amount was $8200. This year, it averages $8,833 per pupil.