Last verified: October 2026
Does Florida license private K-12 schools?
No. A Florida private K-12 school files a yearly registration survey with the state Department of Education instead of holding a license, and the state does not set its curriculum.
Preschool and child care programs are a different matter and are licensed separately.
What does a new private school have to do?
File the annual survey, keep attendance and health records, meet health, fire and safety codes, and complete background screening for staff.
The survey is what creates the state school number shown on every listing in our directory.
How does a school start receiving scholarships?
Register with a scholarship funding organization (Step Up For Students, AAA Scholarship Foundation, or both), submit the required compliance documents and report enrollment in EMA each quarter.
Scholarship schools also give students an annual norm-referenced test.
How should a Pinellas church school set tuition?
Many set it near the Pinellas award, $8,643 for K-3 in 2026-27, and add member pricing or sibling discounts on top.
A part-week hybrid priced below the award leaves PEP families money for books and tutoring.
What the state asks of a church K-12 school compared with a church preschool
| Requirement | K-12 private school | Preschool / child care |
|---|---|---|
| State license | No; annual registration survey | Yes, licensed separately |
| Scholarship funding | Private School Scholarship, FES-UA, PEP | VPK, School Readiness |
| Testing | Norm-referenced test for scholarship students | VPK assessments |