CORE PREP

What is an umbrella school?

An umbrella school is a non-traditional private school that supervises the enrollment, attendance, and other aspects of a family's home education. Umbrella schools also validate the student's diploma.

"Of the three options available to Florida families homeschooling their children (establish a home education program, enroll in a private school, or maintain a private tutor program), only those families who choose the first option — establish a home education program — are counted in Florida state statistics about homeschooling. So when you read statistics concerning the number of homeschooled children in Florida, you can safely assume that the real number is at least double the stated number, since children being homeschooled through a private umbrella school are not counted as being homeschooled.

In fact, legally, children who are being homeschooled through a private school are considered to be private school students, NOT homeschoolers. While this distinction has no bearing on how you teach your child, it does have an impact on the laws that govern your program as well as the opportunities available to you."