A poll was released on Florida families’ support for charter schools and school choice.
As students return to the classroom, a statewide poll showed Florida families continue to value charter schools, citing academic quality, challenging coursework, and teacher quality as the top reasons for choosing them. The survey also found voters believe charter schools have improved school culture by restoring discipline, order, and respect while allowing teachers to spend more time educating students and less time on bureaucracy.
Public schools across Florida, including in Orlando and Orange County Public Schools, are losing students and seeing decreased enrollment.
The Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) highlighted findings from a statewide survey conducted by National Victory, which reflects continued confidence in charter schools and growing demand for high-quality public school options.
The group said key findings include:
- Charter schools are viewed favorably by Florida voters, with especially strong support among Black voters (51%), Hispanic voters (42%), and South Florida residents (40%).
- Voters say charter schools have helped restore discipline, order, and respect in schools.
- Respondents believe charter schools allow educators to spend more time teaching and less time on bureaucracy.
The top three reasons parents choose charter schools are:
- Academic quality
- Challenging academic curriculum
- Teacher quality
“The message from Florida families is clear: parents want high-quality public school options that prepare their children for success, and charter schools continue to deliver,” said Lynn Norman-Teck, Executive Director of the Florida Charter School Alliance. “Strong academics, outstanding teachers, and student-centered learning environments continue to drive families’ decisions.”
The survey findings align with statewide trends. Florida charter school enrollment has grown to more than 408,00 students – 67% growth over ten years – reflecting increasing demand from families. The Student Achievement in Florida’s Charter Schools report (Florida Department of Education, May 2026) also found charter school students continue to outperform their district peers on multiple statewide assessments while serving a student population that reflects the diversity of Florida’s communities.
The Florida Charter School Alliance said that the polling, enrollment growth, and academic outcomes demonstrate why more Florida families continue to choose charter schools over public schools.
