The Miami-Dade school district, one of the nation’s largest, is inviting independent microschools to lease empty classroom space — providing a new revenue stream as public school enrollment drops sharply.
The initiative, according to the district officials, is both a response to enrollment declines as well as a way to accommodate families who have a wide range of educational choices. The district already allows students on Florida’s voucher programs to take à la carte courses in public schools, including core academics and electives.
Officials are “really just committed to advancing these innovative partnerships ,” Verena Cabrera, the district’s enterprise development officer, said during a virtual meeting this week with interested microschool operators. “We understand that parents do have choice.”
For private providers, who often operate out of their homes or lease space in storefronts and office parks, the district can offer more “supportive learning environments” while also being “good stewards of taxpayer property,” Cabrera said…