9 things to know about Florida schools, including when school will start

Cheryl McCloud, Treasure Coast Newspapers
Updated ·5 min read
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The last bell has rung.

The tassels have been moved over.

Backpacks have been tossed onto the floor, although unknown contents are probably still lurking inside.

Now's the time all parents are beginning to ask: When does school start?

Get out a pencil and paper, or take notes on your cellphone, here are a few educational tidbits for you, including a roundup of when schools will resume:

When do Florida students go back to school for the 2023-2024 year?

This varies by county, but almost all public schools in USA TODAY Network-Florida coverage areas start Aug. 10. Here's a roundup of what we've found, along with links to the entire 2023-2024 instructional calendar in your county:

How many days of school are required in Florida?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the minimum amount of instruction time for Florida students is 180 days.

That amount of time is typical across the country, although there are a few states requiring slightly fewer or more days.

Florida requires children in kindergarten through grade 3 to have instructional time of 720 hours.

That time increases to 900 hours for students in grades 4 through 12, although school districts have the option to meet either minimum hours per school year or days per school year.

More than half the schools across the country require a minimum number of hours per school day.Florida does not.

➤ Compare all states.

What do you need to enroll a child in a Florida school?

According to the Florida Department of Education, the following information is required to enroll a student in a Florida school:

  • Proof of age. A certified birth certificate for U.S. citizens may be requested online. If a birth certificate is not available refer to 1003.21, FS, for other acceptable documentation.

  • A Florida Certificate of Immunization, Form 680, completed by a Florida physician or by a Florida county health department. Get more information about immunizations at the Florida Department of Health.

  • Evidence of a medical exam completed no less than 12 months prior to the child's school entry date.

  • Official documentation that the parent or guardian is a legal resident of the school district attendance area.

What are the requirements for admission to kindergarten?

Children who are 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 of the school year are eligible for admission to public kindergarten during that school year.

Florida law and board of education rules do not include any provision to waive the age requirement for kindergarten enrollment.

What are the graduation requirements for Florida students?

Students must successfully complete one of the following diploma options:

  • 24-credit standard diploma

  • 18-credit Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL)

  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathway

  • Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) curriculum

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma curriculum

Florida will have two tax-free school holidays

Florida back to school sales tax holiday for 2023-2024 school year.
Florida back to school sales tax holiday for 2023-2024 school year.

For the first time, there will be two tax-free sales tax holidays in Florida to help parents purchase school supplies.

The first period will run from July 24 through Aug. 6. The second will be from Jan. 1 through Jan. 14, according to the Florida Department of Revenue.

What school supplies will be tax exempt in Florida during the tax-free holidays?

  • Items exempt from sales tax include:

  • Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles selling for $30 or less.

  • Most school supplies selling for $50 or less.

  • Clothing, footwear and accessories selling for $100 or less.

  • Computers and related accessories selling for $1,500 or less (when purchased for non-commercial and personal use).

New hours coming for middle and high schoolers

A new law — HB733 — signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis prevents middle schools from beginning the instructional day earlier than 8 a.m., while high schools will be barred from starting the school day before 8:30 a.m.

The start times will be required to take effect by the 2026-2027 school year, giving school districts three years to develop plans to implement the new times, including figuring out bus schedules.

Get ready for later school start: Schools to start later for Florida middle, high schoolers. 9 things to know about new law

What about school safety and guardians in Florida schools?

The Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program was established in 2018 through the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission said having guardians in schools is the best way to ensure trained personnel are in place to respond immediately in the event of a school shooting

Guardians are armed personnel who aid in the prevention or abatement of active assailant incidents on school property, according to the Florida Department of Education.

They are either school employees who volunteer to serve in addition to official job duties or personnel hired for the specific purpose of serving as a school guardian.

Guardians must pass psychological and drug screenings, and successfully complete a minimum of 144 hours of training.

The 2019 Legislature expanded the guardian program to include Class D and G licensed security guards and certain school district or charter school employees who volunteer to participate in the program.

Currently, 46 counties are participating in the guardian program.

HB733: Read about the new hours for middle and high school students

HB7063: Read about the sales-tax holidays for 2023 in Florida

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida schools: When does school start? Tax-free holiday. Immunizations