Q & A Mastering the System
Insider tips for parents and students in Greater Gainesville
Whether relocating or living locally, jiving with school calendars, student sports, class clubs and extracurricular activities is key to family balance –– not to mention knowing the right kind school to enroll students. While public schools teach core curriculum, Charter schools serve students who excel in particular academics and have specific educational objectives.
Greater Gainesville public schools offer a wide variety of impressive options that fit the needs of every family and their learners.
FAQ
Moving to a new place and trying to figure out all the steps a family needs to take can be challenging. To make things a bit easier, here are some answers to frequently asked questions to guide new residents through the public school enrollment process in GG.
I am moving to Greater Gainesville with preschool-age children. Where and how do I enroll them in school?
Florida offers a Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program to all children who reside in the Sunshine State. The free program encourages parents to enroll preschool-age children so they can practice pre-reading, pre-math, language and social skills to augment their future kindergarten education.
To register children ages four and five, visit vpkhelp.org.
How do I enroll my kids in a GG public school?
The enrollment process is now conveniently online for all new students. The first step is to create an account through Skyward Family Access at sbac.edu/enrollment. To create an account, the district provides a parent guide with step-by-step help for the enrollment process at shorturl.at/frAGH.
Certain documents are required to enroll a child into school in GG. These include two documents showing proof of residence, health records and certain immunizations, proof of name and age, school records and, finally, the child’s social security card is requested, not required. Click here for more information.
Florida does not require children under six years old to attend kindergarten or preschool. However, students who are five years old on or before September first of the school year can be enrolled.
How do the schools rank in Greater Gainesville compared to other districts in Florida?
Alachua County Public Schools is a consistently high-ranking school system. In 2019, the district boasted an A rating. For the 2020-2021 school year, 56 school districts statewide, including ACPS, opted out of receiving a grade for standardized testing due to the challenges of COVID-19. In 2022, Alachua County Public Schools has an A- overall and an A+ for college prep, according to niche.com.
Multiple review sites place the Alachua County Public Schools among the top 10 or 20 districts in Florida. It is also home to high-ranking charter schools.
Beyond the rankings, residents place a high value on quality education in GG in general. It is an academically oriented community, with the University of Florida and Santa Fe College having a large, influential presence here. Both institutions have many educational and community programs, which students and the community as a whole benefit from.
Can my child attend a school outside of my address zone or district?
The Florida Board of Education allows controlled, open enrollment throughout the state. The program permits students to attend a school outside of their address zone or district. Of course, controlled open enrollment is based on the school’s capacity, changing each academic year. If approved, the parent or guardian of the student must provide transportation to and from the respective school.
Additionally, magnet program acceptance would qualify a student for a zoning exception. Alachua County has 27 different magnet programs focusing on everything from academics to various career paths.
To read more about magnet programs and career and technical education in GG, go to
What is the selection of charter schools like?
The selection of charter schools in GG is lengthy, offering parents a plethora of choices. While some charter schools educate all grade levels, others only serve specific grades. Starting the charter school trend, The One Room School House became Gainesville’s first charter school in 1997 and has been serving students from prekindergarten through fifth grade ever since.
Some of the most notable charter schools, according to Niche, include Expressions Learning Arts Academy, Healthy Learning Academy Charter School, Alachua Learning Academy Elementary School, Micanopy Area Cooperative School and Boulware Springs Charter School.
How does Greater Gainesville meet the needs for specialized education or a non-traditional setting?
GG understands that not all children learn the same way. There are many options for either a specialized education or something a little unconventional.
Millhopper Montessori School has been providing a first class, challenging, monetessori based education for students in Greater Gainesville since 1977. MMS is one of only two area schools to be accredited with the Florida Council of Independent Schools. They maintain a very strong 12-1 student-teacher ratio and serve students grades 2-8 with a STEAM-focused montessori curriculum.
In the last few years, online education has seen an explosion in participants and learning opportunities. Alachua eSchool and Florida Virtual School are both accredited online platforms offering students a flexible alternative to being physically present in the classroom. Neighboring Gilchrist County joins GG in offering high quality online education through MyDistrict Virtual School provided by the Northeast Florida Educational Consortium.
Resilience Charter School embraces a Projects Based Learning model, providing students flexibility, freedom of expression and the chance to work as a team or individually. Resilience focuses on social emotional learning through mindful and restorative justice.
While Sidney Lanier Center used to be a school that catered specifically to students with intellectual disabilities, in 2015, the school transitioned to a public school that now offers a wide range of programs. The school maintained its unique grade level configuration, educating students from kindergarten to the age of 22.
Einstein School is a charter school that was created to help students from second to eighth grade with learning difficulties, specifically to help develop skills in reading, writing, speech and language.
My child is considered gifted and talented. What kinds of advanced curriculums are available?
Whether choosing a public or private school, every institution in GG offers a curriculum that will truly challenge gifted young minds. All ACPS schools offer gifted program services.
Eastside High School and Bhaktivedanta Academy, a Montessori school, both offer International Baccalaureate programs. Gainesville High School offers a Cambridge program, one of the first in GG.
From elementary to high school, various schools throughout the district provide additional enrichment and advanced studies through the many available magnet programs. Mebane Middle School in Alachua goes hand-in-hand with the biotechnology magnet at Santa Fe High School, another ACPS school. Other magnet programs include The Center for Gifted and Talented Studies at Archer Elementary, Williams Magnet Program at Williams Elementary, The Academy of Technology and Advanced Studies at Howard Bishop Middle School and The Lyceum at Lincoln Middle School.
My child is interested in dual enrollment and earning college credit. What opportunities are available?
Dual enrollment is an acceleration opportunity that allows students to pursue an advanced curriculum relevant to their individual postsecondary interests. Each year, more than 60,000 students participate in Florida’s dual enrollment program, and the number is growing.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, college credits earned prior to high school graduation reduces the average time-to-degree and increases the likelihood of graduating. There is also evidence that dual enrollment increases academic performance and educational attainment.
Students can earn up to 60 college credits that will go toward their degree. In some cases, students can graduate with an A.A. equivalent and transfer into a four-year institution as a junior. For others, they may start at a sophomore or freshman status, depending on the number of credits they take.
The University of Florida’s program, which offers students an opportunity to receive free credits, is primarily online and expands beyond Gainesville. Students in Alachua County can opt to take some approved college classes on campus.
The program at Santa Fe college offers both online and on-campus classes to local students.
My child is interested in Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Are those available?
Students may take honors or AP courses with teacher recommendations at any Alachua County Public High School. AP courses are college level courses and are only offered to high school students.
AP courses provide the opportunity to earn college credits in the high school setting. In addition, advanced students can dually enroll at Santa Fe College or the University of Florida before graduating high school, with no tuition costs. More than 1,000 high school students take part in Santa Fe’s dual enrollment program each year.
How do I navigate homeschooling in Greater Gainesville?
Homeschooling and remote learning are allowed under the Florida Board of Education throughout the Sunshine State. It is essential to research homeschooling and remote learning programs before relocating.
ACPS has a homeschool department that can help navigate the homeschooling process and provide resources for families who choose this learning method.
The first step to homeschooling children is to submit a Letter of Intent to the Alachua County Public School’s Homeschool Office or complete the intent form. Families must complete an annual evaluation of their child’s progress to remain in the homeschool program.
To get started or for more information, visit sbac.edu/homeschool.