What Is an Umbrella School?

Umbrella schools, as they have been coined, are private schools. In Florida, umbrella schools help parents comply with Florida's compulsory school attendance laws. Like Aspiring Heights Acadmey (AHA), most umbrella schools serve as a school office, and students complete their coursework at home under the supervision of their parents and/or guardians. Students enrolled in umbrella schools are private school students – not homeschool students as defined under F.S. 1002.01.

Parents who enroll their children in umbrella schools provide their children's educational information to their umbrella school (usually in the form of attendance records), whereas parents who establish a home education program with their district school provide their children's educational information to their district school (usually through annual evaluations). Parents do not need to both enroll their children in an umbrella school and establish a home education program.

Some Things to Note

• Many umbrella schools are not brick and mortar, but some do have school buildings and offer classes. (AHA does not.)
• Most umbrella schools allow parents to decide how, when and what their children are taught, but some umbrella schools require specific curricula and schedules. (AHA lets you decide.)
• Umbrella schools establish their own recordkeeping and evaluation policies.
• Some umbrella schools require you join specific homeschool groups and organizations. (AHA does not.)
• Some umbrella schools require you share the same faith. (We do not.)
• Some umbrella schools provide report cards, transcripts, and high school diplomas. (AHA does, too.)
• Some umbrella schools offer group activities, such as field trips, proms, and graduation ceremonies. (AHA does not.)

Important Things to Consider

 A student who completes high school while enrolled in an umbrella school does not graduate from a home education program under F.S. 1002.41. Scholarship eligibility and college admission may be affected.

 Most umbrella schools are not accredited. Some colleges and state universities do not accept diplomas or transcripts from non-accredited schools.

 Please read through our website and FAQs for details about our school policies and the services we offer.