Two elementary schools in Alachua County will transition to a new year-round school model this year, which will affect nearly 900 students.
House Bill 891, which passed during the 2023 legislative session, establishes the Year-round School Pilot Program, allowing the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) to aid school districts in the creation of a year-round school program for elementary schools. The program must be established in at least one elementary school in the chosen districts to study issues, benefits and schedule options for implementing year-round school programs for all students.
The bill required the commissioner of education to select five school districts out of those that applied to participate, seeking to represent a variety of demographics and include an urban, suburban and rural district. The Alachua County school district – which applied to the program with goals including improvement of student academic performance, behavior and attendance – was among those chosen.