The Brief
- Hillsborough County Public Schools lost 7,000 students this year.
- Homeschooling in Florida has jumped 46% in five years, now totaling 155,000 students.
- Families cite flexibility and reduced stress as key reasons for opting out of traditional classrooms.
TAMPA, Fla. – Florida public schools are experiencing a steep drop in enrollment, with Hillsborough County alone losing 7,000 students since last year. A major driver of that decline is the surge in homeschooling.
At Ovations Dance Academy in Tampa, the ballet studio now doubles as a classroom. Owner Orlando Peña saw the trend and created a homeschool-friendly space where kids can balance academics and dance.
What they’re saying:
“My daughter’s homeschooled because of the freedom and the flexibility… It opens up a world of opportunities,” said Elena Luyo, a homeschooling mother.…