Lessons in Learning
Whether it’s for kindergarten or adult continuing education, the region earns high marks for academic excellence and teaching innovation.

Nowhere is metro Orlando’s prowess as a place for learning more apparent than in K-12 education, where three public school districts teach more than 230,000 students.

The largest of the districts is Orange County Public Schools, the 14th largest district in the nation and the fifth largest in Florida. The district serves approximately 152,000 students through 150 elementary, middle and high schools, as well as alternative/exceptional education schools. Another example of large size is notable in employment. The school district is the second largest employer in Central Florida.

Seminole County Public Schools consists of 55 elementary, middle and senior high schools, plus two exceptional education centers and one alternative education center, serving more than 61,000 students. Historically, high schools students in Seminole produce the best college-entrance test scores in the region and typically exceed state and national averages.

Osceola County Public Schools serves approximately 31,500 students, making it the second fastest-growing school district in Florida. The student population increases by approximately 1,500 each year. There are 39 schools, including elementary, middle and high schools, special education and vocational technical facilities. More than 12,000 students are safely transported 2.5 million miles, using 180 school buses.

For more information about the public-school districts, visit the following Web sites: Orange County, www.ocps.net; Seminole County, www.scps.k12.fl.us; and Osceola County, www.osceola.k12.fl.us.

How to Register for Public School

• A child is required to attain the age of 5 on or before Sept. 1 to be admitted to kindergarten at any time during that school year.

• Any child who has attained the age of 6 on or before Sept. 1 will be admitted to first grade if kindergarten has been successfully completed. Successful completion of kindergarten will be defined as:

1) regular attendance in an 180-day instructional program; and

2) regular attendance in a three-hour-net instructional day.

• Upon initial enrollment to transfer from one attendance zone to another in a public school in Florida, proof of residency must be presented. The following documents shall be required:

1) Owned residence: a copy of the recorded deed or agreement for the deed and a certified copy of declaration of homestead exemption. If these documents are unavailable, schools may accept two of the following documents: utility bill, auto registration, driver’s license or voter’s registration as proof that parent(s) own and live at the residence. Rented or leased residence: a copy of the signed, dated lease, rental agreement or a letter from the landlord;

2) Divorced parents: a certified copy of the final judgment of divorce, court custody order, a court guardianship order or other such document establishing the right of custody; and

3) Separated parents: a notarized statement that the child actually lives in the home of the parent designated in the child’s school records as the residential parent.

• Before admission to a public school from other Florida counties, a student must have a valid Florida Certificate of Immunization on file and proof of residence.

• Before admitting a student to Florida schools, the school must have received several documents required by Florida Statutes, as outlined below:

1) Proof of date of birth;

2) Social security card;

3) A certificate showing a school-entry health examination performed within one year prior to enrollment, signed and dated by a physician or nurse practitioner, and showing exam components;

4) A valid HRS 680 Florida Certificate of Immunization-HIB vaccine (one dose at 15 months) is necessary for pre-kindergarten students. A second measles shot, preferably MMR, is a requirement before entry into kindergarten through fourth grade; and

5) Proof of residence.

• Before entering seventh grade, each student needs the following: Hepatitis B (a series of three doses), second measles shot, preferably MMR; and Tetanus-diphtheria (Td) booster. This immunization form is available through the county health department or a personal physician.

English as a Second Language

Students who speak Spanish as their primary language can receive special classroom assistance throughout metro Orlando. Each of the three public-school districts provides English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs.

The objective of the programs is to develop English language proficiency in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The ESOL classroom consists of students from diverse language backgrounds who enter school at various levels of English proficiency. During the development of English language proficiency, students progress through the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. In addition, many private schools offer similar programs.

The Private-School Option

Numerous private schools throughout metro Orlando neatly complement the public schools. By unofficial count, there are more than 100 private schools available to assist. Some are based on a religious denomination; many others are non-denomination. The majority of schools feature accreditation or some type, while far fewer carry no official stamp of approval.

Similarly, grade, curriculum and tuition price ranges vary widely. So buyer beware.

The following are only a few of the questions to ask when conducting preliminary research about private schools:

• What is the school’s mission statement?
• What do other people think about the school?
• What are the academic admissions requirements?
• On what philosophy is the curriculum based?
• Is financial aid available?
• What are the total costs for a year of study?

Adult Continuing Education

Despite the fact that the Hispanic population continues to dramatically advance in stature, education remains a key challenge. Locally, help is available in the form of the Central Florida Higher Education Alliance.

Established in 2000, the alliance is comprised of regionally accredited colleges and universities that work in collaboration with area corporations and organizations to increase awareness of higher education opportunities in Central Florida. Among the 24 participating institutions are the University of Central Florida and Rollins College and Valencia and Seminole community colleges, along with numerous other choices. For more information about the alliance, visit www.cfhea.org.

In addition, the area boasts three trade-technical schools: Orange Technical Education Centers, operated by Orange County Public Schools; the Seminole Community College Technical Program; and the Technical Education Center of Osceola.

Another noteworthy place to learn is Florida Metropolitan University, which is one of the largest private universities in the state, with several campuses.

The newest local option for students seeking a higher education is especially geared for Hispanics. In September 2003, the Ana G. Mendez Metro Orlando University Center opened at the Terracotta Business Park in Orlando (5601 S. Semoran Blvd.).

The Orlando facility offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the system’s three main institutions: Universidad del Turabo, Universidad Metropolitana and Universidad del Este. Bachelor’s degrees are offered in management, accounting, marketing, computer information systems, general elementary education, hotel management, administrative assistant/secretarial, health services management and criminal justice. Master’s degrees are offered in management, human resource, preservation/management of natural resources and teaching English as a second language.