Handbook Summary Notice
The information provided on this website is a general summary of key school policies, procedures, and program information for prospective and current families. Enrolled families receive access to the full Sunshine State Academy K–12 Parent/Student Handbook, which contains complete official policies, detailed procedures, and enrollment terms. In the event of any discrepancy, the full handbook governs.
About Sunshine State Academy K–12 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, SSA supports families seeking personalized educational pathways while maintaining private school enrollment. SSA is listed in the Florida Department of Education Directory of Private Schools (#5624) and welcomes families from diverse educational backgrounds. SSA is secular, inclusive, and committed to supporting individualized learning. SSA believes education should be flexible, meaningful, and tailored to each learner’s needs.
Educational Model & Parent Responsibilities SSA operates as a parent-directed educational program, meaning parents/caregivers serve as the primary educational guides for their students unless enrolled in one of SSA’s curriculum-supported programs. Parents are responsible for: •Selecting and implementing curriculum (if not using SSA curriculum) •Providing or overseeing instruction •Monitoring academic progress •Maintaining attendance and educational records •Submitting required reports by deadlines •Supporting student participation in coursework Families using SSA’s approved online curriculum benefit from streamlined reporting and curriculum support, though parental oversight remains essential.
Enrollment Overview Enrollment includes private school registration, academic record maintenance, annual review, and administrative support. Families may enroll students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Transfer high school students must provide academic records for transcript evaluation and credit review. Required enrollment documentation may include: •Enrollment registration •Birth certificate •Health and immunization documentation (or applicable waivers) •Transfer records (when applicable) Detailed enrollment requirements are available during the enrollment process.
Curriculum Options SSA offers flexible curriculum pathways designed to meet a variety of educational needs. Options may include: Parent-Selected Curriculum Families may choose their own curriculum and educational approach while meeting SSA reporting requirements. SSA Online Curriculum Options Available curriculum-supported options may include: •Exact Path / Personalized Core Learning •Study.com elementary options •Edmentum Courseware for middle and high school •Expanded full online curriculum options (when available) Curriculum offerings, pricing, and available courses may vary.
Academic Expectations & Reporting SSA families are expected to maintain educational progress consistent with annual academic expectations. General expectations include: •Completion of approximately 180 instructional days annually •Submission of required academic reports •Maintenance of accurate educational records •Timely completion of coursework Families not using SSA curriculum submit periodic academic reporting. Families using SSA curriculum generally have simplified reporting requirements, as academic progress is tracked through the program.
Elementary & Middle School Academic Expectations SSA recommends a balanced academic program including: Elementary (K–5): •Language Arts •Mathematics •Science •Social Studies •Enrichment areas such as art, health, technology, and physical education Middle School (6–8): •English Language Arts •Mathematics •Science •Social Studies •Physical Education/Health •Electives Students demonstrating academic readiness may begin earning high school credit during middle school.
High School Graduation Requirements SSA’s standard high school diploma requires completion of a college-preparatory academic program that generally includes: •4 credits English Language Arts •4 credits Mathematics •3 credits Science •3 credits Social Studies •1 credit Fine/Practical Arts •1 credit Physical Education/Health •Electives to meet the minimum graduation credit requirement Additional expectations: •Minimum cumulative GPA requirements •Approved coursework documentation •Transcript review for transfer students •Graduation eligibility verification College-bound students are encouraged to plan coursework carefully, including math progression, science labs, and world language study.
High School Planning & Student Opportunities SSA supports a variety of academic pathways and enrichment opportunities, including: Florida Virtual School (FLVS): Eligible students may take FLVS Flex courses while enrolled with SSA. Dual Enrollment: Approved students may access dual enrollment opportunities through SSA partnerships. Bright Futures Scholarship: SSA participates in Florida Bright Futures scholarship processing for eligible students. NCAA Eligibility: Student-athletes should begin planning early to ensure NCAA course eligibility requirements are met. College Entrance Testing: Students may pursue ACT, SAT, PSAT, AP, PERT, and other academic testing opportunities.
Academic Integrity & Educational Standards SSA expects honesty, accurate academic reporting, and responsible educational oversight. Families must maintain documentation supporting reported grades, coursework, and attendance. SSA reserves the right to review coursework, transcripts, academic records, or supporting documentation to ensure academic integrity and graduation readiness.
Student Support & Accommodations
Communication Expectations SSA strives to provide professional, responsive communication while supporting many enrolled families. General communication guidelines: •Email and text communication for routine support •Standard response times of approximately 5–7 business days •Consultation services available for individualized support needs Families are expected to maintain respectful, professional communication.
Renewal, Withdrawal, & Continued Enrollment Enrollment is renewed annually. Families are responsible for completing all academic and reporting requirements prior to renewal deadlines. Students who withdraw or do not renew may need to complete a new enrollment process if returning.
Important Disclaimers SSA is a registered private school in Florida, and enrolled students are considered private school students. Families should understand: •Private schools in Florida are not licensed, approved, or regulated by the Florida Department of Education. •External organizations determine their own eligibility policies. •SSA cannot guarantee acceptance into: odual enrollment programs oscholarship programs oNCAA eligibility pathways ocolleges or universities oemployment opportunities oexternal academic programs Policies for outside institutions may change, and families are responsible for verifying current requirements directly with those organizations.