Sunshine State Academy: K-12 (SSA) is a flexible private school serving students in grades K–12 through a remote, parent-directed educational model (often referred to as an umbrella school). We are listed in the Florida Department of Education’s Directory of Private Schools (#5624).

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SSA admits students of any creed, race, color, sex, gender, national origin, religion, and/or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities that are made available or offered to students enrolled at SSA. SSA believes that all families should be accepted entirely and that all students should be appreciated for who they are. SSA is not affiliated with any religious or political organization and does not require families to submit any statement of faith.

 

SSA believes that the world is our classroom, and that learning can always be fun. You can find options for social and education experiences in central Florida, which all members can organize, in the Sunshine State Homeschoolers support group. Sunshine State Homeschoolers is a Florida Department of Education recognized independent organization and Home Education Program, providing resources for home education parents. You can find the group on Facebook. This includes field trips, STEM and art events, co-op classes, parties, and our well-known dances (since 2015!).  

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About SSA

Like many independent virtual programs, SSA is directed by an experienced parent educator. I’m Dr. Chrysalis Wright, a developmental psychologist and long-time advocate for flexible, personalized education. I have guided my six children through more than eighteen years of alternative learning, with four having already graduated and successfully transitioned to or completed college. I am currently continuing this educational journey with my two other children.

In addition to directing SSA, I work full time in my field and am active on local, national, and international levels. I manage SSA as a service to families seeking high-quality, individualized learning options. My schedule is full of both parental and professional responsibilities. The best way to reach me is via email at sunshineacademyk12@gmail.com Please allow 5–7 business days for a reply or the processing of any requests, and plan accordingly.  If you'd like to speak by phone, view SSA’s additional services page and complete the form to request a consultation: Services | SSHA

 

Contact Information

Address: P.O. Box 391024, Deltona, FL 32739

Email: sunshineacademyk12@gmail.com

Text only: 407-300-4212

Website: Home | SSHA (sshacademy.org) [https://www.sshacademy.org/]

FL DOE #5624

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Accreditation & Curriculum Alignment

SSA is accredited by the National Association for the Legal Support of Alternative Schools (NALSAS), an accrediting organization focused on legal compliance, operational integrity, and consumer protection within alternative education. To support academic quality and postsecondary readiness, students in grades 9–12 are strongly encouraged to use our approved curriculum provider, Edmentum. Edmentum’s Cognia-accredited curriculum aligns with national academic standards and helps support consistent documentation of rigorous high school coursework for postsecondary planning.

 

Disclaimer

SSA is a registered private school in Florida, and enrolled students are considered private school students. Private schools in Florida are not licensed, approved, regulated, or accredited by the Florida Department of Education. SSA does not guarantee eligibility for dual enrollment, scholarships, financial aid, NCAA eligibility, college admission, employment opportunities, or participation in any external academic program. Policies and eligibility requirements for scholarships, colleges, dual enrollment programs, testing agencies, and other outside organizations may change and are determined solely by those institutions. Some colleges, including Valencia College, St. Petersburg State College, and Gulf Coast State College, scholarship agencies, and external organizations may classify students enrolled in remote or virtual private schools differently based on their own policies. Families are responsible for researching and verifying current eligibility, admissions, and participation requirements directly with each institution or program.

 

Website Resources & Additional Information

Detailed information regarding differing abilities and learner support, scholarship guidance, enrollment procedures and fees, additional services, and educational legal requirements for families in various states, territories, and international locations is available on the SSA website. Families are expected to review applicable information prior to enrollment and as needed throughout their enrollment.

 

 

Enrollment & Fees

Enrollment Verification: If you need an enrollment verification letter, please request access to the one located here. Yoo may print the letter as is or copy the letter, enter your student’s information, save it as a PDF and/or print it.

 

Fees Not Elsewhere Listed: The fees listed below are for currently enrolled students.

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Returning Student Enrollment (curriculum not included; subsequent academic years only)

• Grades K-8: $75

• 9th-12th Grade: $100

 

Basic enrollment fees cover your enrollment in SSA for the academic year, annual set-up, record keeping, and end of year check. This is your only fee, unless you select additional services upon enrollment or later in the academic year.

 

Senior Fees

• Request to Graduate: $125 (includes high school diploma with cover and one copy of official transcripts, shipping fees are included)

• Senior Year Package$ 250 (includes Bright Futures processing and Common App support)

 

Optional Services & Miscellaneous Fees

Complete this form to request additional services Additional Services | SSHA

 

• FLVS processing: $10 per course segment

• NSHHS nomination: $10 processing fee

• Additional email/text support: $360 per year

  • This option provides ongoing access for reasonable, routine questions throughout the academic year without per-message billing. Standard response times (5–7 business days) still apply. Communication is subject to professional boundaries and reasonable use, and SSA reserves the right to require a transition to a different support structure if communication becomes excessive or disruptive.

• Rush fee for 3-day processing of documents: $40

• Revised Transcript, Report Card, or Records due to reporting error: $40

• Returned Payment Fee: $40

• Reinstatement Fee: $150

• Late Processing Fee (required registration documents, attendance, grades, etc.): $40

  • Avoid late processing fees by submitting the required registration documents within 30 days of enrollment, and reporting grades and annual attendance by their respective due dates.

  • Late processing fees will be applied the day after a due date has passed. If the requirement (documentation, reporting) and/or fee remain outstanding after 30 days, an additional $20 fee will apply. If the requirement and/or remains outstanding after 45 days, the student will be automatically withdrawn from SSA for a violation of our educational ethics.

 

New Student Records & Transfer Documentation

 

K–8: Previous academic records or transcripts are requested but not required for enrollment or grade placement.

 

Grades 9–12: Records or transcripts documenting all previously completed high school coursework and grades are required for transfer credit review and transcript creation. Enrollment fees include standard transfer credit review for incoming high school students.

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Curriculum Options

 

Elementary Students

 

• Personalized Core Learning Package: $350 per academic year, $175 per summer access

  • This package includes access to Edmentum’s Exact Path, Brainzy by Education.com, Starfall, and grade-level printable workbooks for core academic subjects.

• Study.com Online Curriculum: $500 per academic year, $250 per summer access

  • This option includes access to core courses via Study.com and is offered for grades 3-5.

• Comprehensive Elementary Online Curriculum: $950 per academic year, coming summer 2026!

  • This option includes access to Edmentum’s Elementary Courseware. Courses include all core subjects along with art, health, and physical education.

 

Middle School Students

 

• Online Curriculum: $450 per academic year, $225 per summer access

  • This option includes access to Edmentum’s Courseware for grades 6-8. Course options include all core courses and electives. Access includes six courses per academic year.

 

High School Students

 

• Online Curriculum: $650 per academic year, $325 per summer access

  • This option includes access to Edmentum’s Courseware for grades 9-12. Course options include all core courses and electives. Access includes six courses per academic year.

• Dual Credit via Arizona State University Universal Learners: $375 per course

  • This option provides students access to college level courses via Arizona State University.

 

More information about all curriculum options can be found on our website, which includes course offerings and course descriptions, learner overviews, videos, and tutorials. Curriculum option fees are subject to change due to partnership agreements. Parents who wish to have direct instructional visibility within Edmentum may request a Parent Instructor Account for an additional $50 fee. The Parent Instructor Account is optional and is not required for student enrollment or course completion. Course changes or substitutions requested after initial setup are subject to a $30 administrative fee per change, additional courses beyond the initial six are subject to a $100 fee per course, and schedule or curriculum adjustments requested based on parent preference rather than academic necessity are billed at $60 per request.

All fees are per-student and payable at the time of enrollment/service. All fees are non-refundable. Any fees not paid on time will result in a recurring late processing fee ($20) each month until paid in full. Payment must be received prior to receiving any services. Any balances owed must be paid in full before any additional services can be requested.

 

Educational Responsibility, Academic Integrity, Conduct, and Communication Policy

 

Parent/Guardian Educational Responsibility
Under Florida law, parents/legal guardians remain legally responsible for the education and school attendance of their minor children, including compliance with compulsory attendance requirements (see §§ 1003.21, 1003.24, and 1002.20, Florida Statutes). Enrollment in Sunshine State Academy K–12 (SSA) does not transfer these responsibilities to the school or to the minor student.

 

Parents/caregivers serve as the primary educational decision-makers and responsible parties for students enrolled in SSA. This includes, but is not limited to, selecting and actively implementing curriculum (unless enrolled in an SSA curriculum program), providing or supervising appropriate instruction, ensuring regular academic participation, monitoring progress, maintaining accurate academic records, meeting all reporting requirements and deadlines, and ensuring compliance with SSA policies and applicable educational requirements.

 

Minor students may participate in their education and communications with SSA as age-appropriate; however, minor students may not serve as the sole responsible party for enrollment, contracts, tuition obligations, academic reporting, records requests, withdrawal decisions, or other administrative matters. SSA requires a parent/legal guardian to remain the official responsible party for all enrolled minor students. Parents may not delegate full responsibility for educational oversight, compliance, or administrative obligations to a minor student.

 

Families using SSA’s approved online curriculum satisfy curriculum selection, course planning, grade reporting, and attendance reporting requirements through the approved program unless otherwise notified by SSA; however, parents/caregivers remain responsible for ensuring active student participation, appropriate academic engagement, and successful course completion.

 

Academic Integrity, Documentation, and Verification
Families are expected to maintain academic integrity and use SSA enrollment solely for legitimate educational purposes. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, falsification of grades or records, submission of inaccurate attendance information, misrepresentation of coursework, academic progress, residency, or enrollment information, or misuse of enrollment to avoid applicable educational requirements.

 

SSA reserves the right to request supporting documentation at any time, including but not limited to course plans, curriculum information, work samples, portfolios, grading records, screenshots or reports from online coursework, unofficial transcripts, assessment results, attendance documentation, or other records demonstrating educational progress and compliance.

 

Failure to provide requested documentation, maintain accurate records, provide appropriate parental oversight, comply with reporting requirements, or demonstrate satisfactory educational participation may result in additional fees, administrative review, required placement in SSA curriculum, probation, inactive or withdrawn status, service limitations, denial of transcript/graduation processing, dismissal, or required academic verification assessment. SSA is not responsible for reconstructing missing academic records when required documentation has not been timely provided.

 

SSA may require academic verification assessment when records are incomplete, inconsistent, significantly delayed, unverifiable, or when reported academic achievement raises concerns regarding placement, credit validity, or academic readiness.

 

Conduct and Communication Expectations
Parents/caregivers, authorized representatives, and students are expected to conduct themselves respectfully in all communications and interactions with SSA. Disruptive, abusive, hostile, inappropriate, manipulative, or excessively demanding behavior, or conduct that interferes with SSA operations or the educational relationship, may result in service limitations or dismissal.

 

SSA provides routine administrative communication related to enrollment, documentation, records review, curriculum setup, and course access as part of standard enrollment and curriculum fees. Communication is provided via email or text only, with a standard response time of 5–7 business days. Emergency, after-hours, or same-day responses are not available.

Ongoing, extensive, repetitive, or highly individualized support beyond standard administrative communication constitutes an additional service and may be billed at $60 per hour in 15-minute increments, or through scheduled consultation or other support arrangements. SSA reserves the right to pause extended communication until appropriate support services are arranged.

 

Annual Requirements, Reporting, and Curriculum Responsibilities

 

Families are responsible for maintaining appropriate educational records, implementing curriculum, tracking attendance, and submitting all required reports by SSA deadlines. Submission of required forms serves as confirmation of receipt. SSA does not provide individual confirmation of submitted reports unless additional information is needed.

 

Students enrolled after August 1 will follow the remaining academic year schedule, with all required documents due within 30 days of enrollment. Failure to submit required reporting or documentation may result in late fees, inactive status, withdrawal, or removal from SSA.

 

Academic Year Reporting Schedule

• August 1: First official day of the academic year

• Within 30 days of enrollment: Submit required enrollment documentation and course plans (if not using SSA curriculum)

• December 31: Report first semester grades (if not using SSA curriculum)

• May 1: Seniors submit graduation request and applicable fees

• May 31:

  • Report second semester grades and attendance

  • Complete SSA curriculum courses

  • Request end-of-year services

  • Renew enrollment for the following academic year

• July 31: Submit summer grades and attendance, if applicable

 

All reporting is completed through the Current Families page on the SSA website.

 

Curriculum & Instruction Responsibilities

Families not using SSA’s curriculum are responsible for selecting and actively implementing curriculum, providing instruction, maintaining attendance records, and reporting grades. Course plans must include course titles and a brief description of the curriculum or instructional approach and must be submitted within 30 days of enrollment or course changes.

 

Families are responsible for maintaining records sufficient to support reported grades and attendance. A minimum of 180 instructional days is required annually. Educational activities completed outside the home may count toward attendance requirements. While daily instructional time may vary based on student needs and instructional methods, SSA generally recommends an average of approximately 3 instructional hours per day for kindergarten, 4 hours per day for grades 1–3, and 5 hours per day for grades 4–12.

 

Families using SSA’s curriculum are responsible for ensuring active student participation and course completion. Additional curriculum selection, attendance tracking, course planning, and grade reporting are generally not required unless otherwise requested by SSA.

 

Renewal & Withdrawal

 

Renewal for the following academic year is due by May 31 and is completed through the Current Families page on the SSA website. Families not planning to renew must ensure that all annual requirements, including final grades/course completion and 180 days of attendance, are submitted by May 31, as access to SSA after this date is reserved for continuing students enrolled in the summer term.

 

Families who have not renewed by May 31 will be automatically withdrawn at the end of the academic year. Students returning after withdrawal must re-enroll as new students and pay applicable new student fees. Enrollment and renewal fees are nonrefundable.

 

Families can renew via our Current Families page: Current Families: SSA Current Families Page

 

 

 

Elementary & Middle School Requirements

 

Grades K-5

Course Requirements:

• English Language Arts. This should include reading, writing, spelling, grammar and composition, literature, and speaking.

• Mathematics

• Science

• Social Studies

  • It is recommended that students in grades K-5 also learn physical education and health, computer and library skills, as well as the arts.

 

Grades 6-8

Course Requirements:

• 3 credits in English Language Arts. This should include reading, writing, spelling, grammar and composition, literature, and speaking.

• 3 credits in Mathematics

• 3 credits in Science

• 3 credits in Social Studies. One (1.0) credit must be in Civics

• Physical Education/Health (0.5 credit each year). This should include instruction on first-aid, safety, and fire prevention. CPR should also be included.

• 3 credits in electives

 

High School Diploma Requirements

 

Grades 9-12

 

Course Requirements for a Standard High School Diploma:

• 4 credits in English Language Arts. This should include reading, writing, spelling, grammar and composition, literature, and speaking.

• 4 credits in Mathematics (one credit must be Algebra 1; one credit must be Geometry)

• 3 credits in Natural Science (one credit must be Biology 1; two credits must include a lab; two additional credits must be rigorous in comparison to Biology 1)

• 3 credits in Social Science (one credit must be in World History; one credit must be in U.S. History; one-half credit must be in U.S. Government; one-half credit must be in Economics with Financial Literacy)

• 1 credit in Fine or Performing Arts, Speech and Debate, or Practical Arts

• 1 credit in Physical Education/Health. This should include instruction on first aid, safety, and fire prevention. CPR should also be included.

• 8 credits in Electives (two credits in World Languages are recommended for students who plan to go to college)

 

*Many students take pre-Algebra is 9th, Algebra 1 in 10th, Geometry in 11th, and Algebra 2 in 12th

*Many students take chemistry with lab and physical science

*Many students who plan to attend college take two credits in World Languages as part of their elective requirements

*Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 across all of their courses to meet graduation requirements.

*24 credits minimum and the above required courses are required to meet graduation requirements

 

Academic Policies

 

Grading

There are various options for grading parent developed courses, particularly at the high school level. A decision on how to do this should be included in the course syllabus and plan before the class starts. For SSA courses, final letter grades are determined at the end of the course with grades reported each semester. This link has some excellent information on how to grade your student. You may also want to use rubrics in your grading. Your grading may be different based on the type of assignment for the course. SSA offers optional services related to course planning, syllabus development, and grading schemes if needed.

 

Grading Scale

SSA assigns Satisfactory (S), Needs Work (NW), or Unsatisfactory (U) when report cards, progress checks, or transcripts are requested for grades K-2. For grades 3rd-12th, the following grading scale is used when report cards, progress checks, or transcripts are requested. DE indicates Dual Enrollment and AP indicates Advanced Placement courses. SSA does not use a +/- grading system.

 

Grade

Standard

Honors

DE, AP

A = 90-100

4

4.5

5

B = 80-89

3

3.5

4

C = 70-79

2

2.5

3

D = 60-69

1

1.5

2

F = 59-0

0

0

0

 

Course Requirements

Courses must use verifiable curriculum. This includes: (1) online programs that track grades, (2) published curricula with grading guidance or services, (3) co-op or teacher-led classes where grades are assigned, or (4) tutor-led courses with a final grade and brief documentation. Parents may also design their own course with SSA approval. This requires a syllabus, grading plan, materials list, and schedule. SSA can provide a sample. Parents must keep clear records of all graded work to verify the final grade.

 

Course Completion & High School Credits

For students in grades K–8, SSA records course completion based on successful mastery of grade-level objectives and/or completion of the selected course plan established for the course. Instructional time may be used as a general pacing guide, but there is no statutory hourly requirement for K–8 coursework.

 

Students may begin taking high school level courses and earn transcripted high school credit when they demonstrate academic readiness during middle school. High school level coursework completed in grades 6–8 is recorded on the student’s high school transcript and may be applied toward diploma requirements.

 

For students completing high school level courses, credit is based on course type and not necessarily on how long it takes to finish. For example, completing a one-semester (0.5 credit) course in one month still earns 0.5 credit. Students are not penalized for working at an accelerated pace. If a high school-level course is not finished, partial credit may be awarded based on work completed (e.g., 0.5 or 0.25 credit) with the appropriate grade.

 

Florida guidelines define one high school credit as approximately 120 instructional hours (or 135 hours for Honors/AP) and one-half credit as approximately 60 hours (or 67.5 hours for Honors/AP). These hour guidelines apply to all courses transcripted for high school credit, regardless of the grade level in which they are taken.

 

High school credit may also be earned through demonstrated mastery, completion of learning objectives, or compliance with applicable state law. For parent-designed high school courses, instructional hours and expectations must be outlined in the course syllabus and plan. To receive transcripted high school credit, SSA students must be enrolled for at least 60 instructional days per course within the academic year. Exceptions (such as dual enrollment or transfer credits) require administrative approval and supporting documentation.

 

Credits, Transfer Coursework, and Graduation Policy

SSA maintains the official academic transcript for all enrolled students and reserves the right to approve, modify, verify, or decline reported coursework, course titles, grades, and credits based on academic standards and supporting documentation. SSA may request transcripts, work samples, portfolios, assessments, or other records at any time to verify academic progress or reported coursework.

 

Students enrolling mid-year may transfer previously completed attendance from another school or homeschool program with appropriate documentation.

 

For students in grades K–8, grade placement may be based on available academic records and, when needed, academic assessment. For students transferring in grades 9–11, verifiable documentation for transfer credits must be submitted within 30 days of enrollment. Transfer seniors must submit all documentation within 15 days due to graduation processing timelines. Documentation submitted after these deadlines may not be accepted.

 

Students seeking diploma issuance based primarily on coursework completed through outside programs may be eligible for SSA’s transfer senior credentialing service, which includes transcript evaluation and graduation review. Additional fees apply, and SSA may require testing, portfolio review, supplemental coursework, or additional documentation to verify academic readiness and graduation eligibility as well as compliance with applicable state laws.

 

Early graduation may be available for students who complete all graduation requirements through SSA’s approved curriculum and meet applicable eligibility requirements. Final approval remains at SSA’s discretion.

 

Grade Forgiveness

 

Grade Forgiveness of High School Credit by Middle School Students

High school courses taken in middle school may count toward graduation and Bright Futures. If a student earns a C, D, or F, they may retake the same or comparable course for forgiveness. The new grade must be a C or higher. Grades of A or B cannot be forgiven and will remain on the transcript and count toward GPA and Bright Futures.

Grade Forgiveness for High School Students

SSA requires a 2.0 cumulative GPA to graduate. Students may replace a D or F in a required course by earning a C or higher in the same or comparable course. For electives, a D or F may be replaced with a C or higher in another elective. These rules do not apply to middle school students taking high school courses.

 

All courses and grades, including the original grades, must remain on the transcript. SSA does not calculate GPA based on the best 24 credits only; all courses count toward the cumulative GPA.

 

The forgiveness policy helps students meet graduation GPA requirements but does not allow records to be purged or altered, unless there's a verified error or rights violation. If an F is earned in a required course, students are strongly encouraged to retake it quickly. Courses already passed with a C or higher cannot be retaken for a better grade. Credit cannot be awarded twice for repeated courses.

 

Honors High School Diploma

 

SSA assigns an honors designation upon graduates in the following categories:

• Honors/cum laude: 3.60 or higher GPA with at least 3 credits in honors or advanced placement (AP) courses during the high school years. At least one honors/AP credit must be earned during the senior year.

• High Honors/magna cum laude: 3.75 or higher GPA, with at least 6 credits in honors/AP courses during the high school years. At least one honors/AP credit must be earned during the senior year.

• Highest Honors/summa cum laude: 3.90 or higher GPA with at least 10 credits in honors/AP courses during the high school years. At least 2 honors/AP credits must be earned during the senior year.

All honors and AP courses must be completed using SSA’s online curriculum.

 

Request to Graduate

SSA processes graduation requests once per academic year. Seniors must inform SSA of their intent to graduate by May 1, and all coursework must be completed with final grades submitted by May 31 of that year. If a student does not finish by the due date, they may continue working into the next academic year by paying the re-enrollment fee. Diplomas and transcripts will be issued once all graduation requirements are met.

 

To be eligible for graduation, a student must have been enrolled with SSA for at least 60 days, completed all required courses, had all transfer credits approved, and completed the high school course review. When a student is ready to graduate, the parent should notify SSA by email. SSA will then review all coursework, grades, credits, attendance, and documentation to confirm eligibility.

 

SSA may require additional documentation, verification, or academic assessment (assessment fee will be applied) before approving courses, credits, grades, transcripts, or graduation. This may be required when coursework is missing, incomplete, unclear, reported late, submitted after the course was completed, lacks appropriate documentation, includes unverifiable curriculum or grades, or does not provide enough information for SSA to confirm that the student completed the required work. Assessments may also be required when credits are transferred in, when grades appear inconsistent with the documentation provided, or when a graduation request is submitted without a clear academic record. Final approval of credits, grades, transcripts, and graduation eligibility rests with SSA.

 

Partnerships & Academic Opportunities

 

Florida Virtual School (FLVS)

SSA students can take classes through FLVS Flex. You will need to go to the FLVS website and create an account. When registering, select "Private School," "Volusia County," "Sunshine State Academy K-12," and list Chrysalis Wright as your guidance counselor. Notify SSA once you request a course so enrollment can be verified. Your student will then be assigned to a class, and a designated teacher will contact you. There is a $10 processing fee per FLVS course segment. FLVS requires frequent, regular contact between the teacher, student, and parent. All FLVS courses include tests and quizzes and may require writing assignments. Additionally, FLVS also requires proof of Florida residency to enroll in FLVS courses. Proof of Florida residency is submitted from the parent directly to FLVS. Once your student has earned a final grade in a class via FLVS, make sure to report it to SSA. Note that students currently receiving the FES scholarship must pay FLVS directly per each course segment.

 

National Collegiate Athletic Association

SSA students can remain eligible to play college sports through the NCAA. To do so, they must complete specific core courses, usually using FLVS, during high school. The NCAA classifies SSA students as homeschoolers, so early planning (before 9th grade) is recommended. Review the NCAA Homeschool Toolkit for more information on classification, requirements, and approved courses.

 

Dual Enrollment with Arizona State University

Sunshine State Academy (SSA) offers dual enrollment exclusively through Arizona State University’s Universal Learner Courses (ULC), providing students with the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit. To be eligible, students must be enrolled with SSA for at least one semester, be in grades 6–12, have completed at least one high school-level course with a grade of A, and maintain a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0. Once approved by SSA, students may enroll in ASU’s instructor-led courses, which follow 8- or 16-week schedules and include live online meetings, active participation, and strict deadlines. SSA students may take up to three ASU courses at a time. The cost is $375 per course, paid directly to SSA before enrollment. Students who earn a passing grade (A, B, or C) will receive both high school and college credit. While ASU provides the instruction and academic content, SSA oversees eligibility, enrollment, and transcript integration to ensure that each course aligns with graduation requirements.

 

Bright Futures Scholarship Program

SSA is a participating Florida private high school for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Bright Futures Scholarship Program helps Florida students attend a postsecondary institution. Bright Futures awards include: Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS), Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS), Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award (GSC), and the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award (GSV). You can learn more about the Bright Futures Scholarship Aware here and review initial eligibility requirements. You can use the volunteer hours record sheet to log and track your students volunteer hours. Students must be enrolled with SSA for a minimum of two years prior to application for processing, must have completed 11th and 12th grade courses using SSA’s online curriculum with 9th and 10th grade courses being documented from verifiable curriculum, and must have all completed volunteer hours documented on signed letters from the organization where they volunteered, on organization letterhead. SSA is not able to guarantee any award.         

 

How to Apply: Visit Home - Florida Student Scholarship & Grant Programs (floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org) and select “First-Time Applicants.”

 

National Society of High School Honors

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHHS) is an Honors Society for high school students that recognizes students for their academic achievements and community service. NSHHS connects students with scholarships, college fairs, internships, career and leadership opportunities, and more. Their mission is to recognize academic excellence and honors the highest achieving high school students. SSA students can be nominated for the honors society based on any of the following: (1) 3.5 GPA or higher, (2) 1280 SAT score or higher, (3) 1150 PSAT score or higher, and (4) 26 ACT score or higher. NSHHS’s membership fee is only $90 (paid directly to NSHHS.

 

Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA)

The Federal Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) is completed by students in the 12th grade as they prepare for college. For FAFSA purposes, SSA is considered a homeschool program. When completing the online application, select your county (not SSA’s county), and enter that you are a home educated student.

 

Common App

Many colleges and universities utilize the Common App for applications. After creating your Common App account, you will select SSA (or Sunshine State Homeschool Academy) as your current school. The academic advisor or counselor is Chrysalis Wright. SSA will be prompted to enter required academic information.

 

College Entrance Testing

College-bound students may choose to complete standardized testing such as the ACT, SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, AP exams, or PERT as part of college admissions, scholarship eligibility, dual enrollment placement, or academic planning.

• ACT

• PERT

• PSAT

• SAT

 

When registering for College Board or ACT exams, families should use SSA’s school code (102750) so that official score reports may be sent directly to SSA when available.

 

Florida Department of Education

 

SSA is a registered private school with the Florida Department of Education. Note that the Florida Department of Education does not have jurisdiction over any private school. The FL DOE does not regulate, control, approve, or accredit private educational institutions. Private schools are solely responsible for all aspects of their educational programs.

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