Get Schooled! Find The Elementary Education that’s Right for Your Family

Now that everyone is back at school, most of us can take a big sigh of relief. However, for parents of littles who are a year away from starting their elementary education journey, the next step may seem daunting.

Should you go public or private? What exactly does a magnet school mean? Would homeschooling be something to consider?

While Central Florida is filled with amazing schools, it can be tricky to navigate which institution is best suited for your family — that’s why we’re here to help. Below, we’ve broken down the different academic options in Orlando, so you can begin to narrow down which is right for your budding preschool graduate.

FEATURED SCHOOL: Foundation Academy

• Address: 2 locations in Winter Garden and 1 location in Orlando
• Grades: Pre-K – Grade 12
• Size: 1,550 students
• Accepts State Scholarships: Yes

At Foundation Academy, education is the art of cultivating both the mind and the soul. Within its classrooms, knowledge is illuminated by faith, and every lesson becomes an invitation to discover God’s purpose. Students are challenged to think deeply, serve faithfully, and lead courageously.

Surrounded by a community that values excellence, grace, and authentic relationships, they grow into compassionate leaders equipped for whatever lies ahead. Foundation Academy believes the greatest measure of success is not only what students achieve, but who they become—individuals whose character reflects Christ and whose lives shine with hope, wisdom, and enduring purpose.

Public Schools in Orlando

One of the most common choices for family, these free institutions enroll children who live within the school’s district and are funded by taxpayers. Kids will become classmates with their neighbors and further foster community ties.

Most local public schools run from kindergarten through fifth grade, with some going all the way through eighth. You can use the “Find My School” tool on your county’s website to see where you child is zoned for. Check out Orange County’s here and Seminole County’s here.

Magnet Schools in Orlando

These are still under the public school umbrella, but they typically offer a specialization, from STEM programing to a focus on fine arts to language emersion. They are tuition-free and fall under the same government regulations as traditional public schools.

Magnets are open to children outside their typical zone via lottery or application. Popular choices within the Orlando area include Hillcrest Elementary Foreign Language Academy where kids can choose between Spanish and French and Bay Meadows Elementary STEAM Academy that emphasizes science, math, engineering and more.  

Charter Schools in Orlando

While charter schools are free like public and magnet schools, they operate independently from their surrounding school districts, under a “charter” or a specific performance contract. They tend to be smaller and have more autonomy over their curriculum, giving kids more individualized attention.

Like magnets, they generally have a lottery or application for acceptance. Local charter institutions include Lake Eola Charter School, Cornerstone Charter Academy and Orlando Science Schools.

Private Schools in Orlando

As the name infers, the government is more hands-off, so private schools aren’t funded by taxpayers nor are they held to the same regulations as public ones. Parents must pay tuition for their children to attend and typically go through an application process.

Private school can vary, with some adhering to a specific education philosophy like Waldorf or Montessori, or they are aligned with a particular religion. Generally, private schools have a smaller enrollment, a better teacher-to-student ratio, and more customized support and curriculum. Lake Highland Preparatory School, Park Maitland School, and Windermere Preparatory School are just a few of the private institutions in the area.

Parochial Schools in Orlando

If you hear the word “parochial,” it means that a school is run by a religious organization, ranging from Christian to Catholic to Jewish. All parochial schools are also private. While academic instruction follows a typical curriculum, there’s also religion folded into the lessons to varying degrees.

Winter Garden’s Foundation Academy is an example of a Christian school that incorporates a foundation of faith in all they do, encouraging students to follow a life in Christ’s footsteps.

There’s also a wide range of other faith-based schools in the area, from Catholic institutions like Altamonte Spring’s Annunciation Catholic Academy and downtown Orlando’s St. James Cathedral School to The Orlando Jewish Day School.

Homeschooling in Orlando

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision to homeschool has continued to grow in popularity. According to the Florida Department of Education, enrollment for home education as has nearly doubled over the last decade with over 155,000 children participating.

Taking your child’s education into your own hands can be daunting, but it has many benefits and it’s a way to create a dynamic curriculum that can be a hybrid of different ways to learn, from co-ops to programming within the city to virtual learning. 

There’s also been a rise in school’s offering part-time homeschool programs, with some days in the classroom and others at home, like The First Academy’s Hybrid Home+School.

READ ON: Discover More on Orlando-Area Schools & Education

• 10 Standout Private Schools Families in Central Florida Should Know
• 12 Exciting Homeschool Programs and Classes in Orlando to Connect with Your Community
• Orlando Guide to School Applications: Private, Charter & Magnet Programs

And, be sure to check out our Orlando Parenting Magazine Schools Directory in Print and Online!