BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. -- Kids going to public schools in Brevard County might notice a student or two missing from their classroom. That's because a new charter school in West Melbourne is opening up.
- New Charter school has large enrollment
- Brevard County charter school enrollment increases
According to Pineapple Cove Classical Academy's website, the groundbreaking was back in February and is set to open in August, which means about 700 students will be coming from other schools into this school.
Charter school enrollment is picking up steam, both Brevard County School Board Andy Ziegler Member and Brevard County School Chief Financial Officer Pennie Zuercher agree.
''Fifty-nine hundred in charter schools and projected is 6,600,'' says Ziegler.
Zuercher spoke in front of school board members about the changes in enrollment during Tuesday's school board meeting.
''Their growth in students is greater than what the district has. Schools are actually leaving the district and going to charter schools,'' explains Zuercher.
Misty Elliot says she's pulling her 14-year-old daughter from Lyndon B. Johnson Middle School because her daughter didn't feel like she was learning being at a public school.
''The school system isn't working,'' adds Elliot.
Ziegler explains, when students like Elliot's daughter leave, so does the money and with a new school opening up hundreds will be leaving.
''When there is 700 hundred students going to the academy, the funding goes with them,'' Ziegler points out.
Spectrum News 13 will explore this issue in depth during our Live In Focus Town Hall next Tuesday.
We’ll explore the State of Education, student growth, teacher retention, charter schools and voucher programs.
Those are just some of the topics state leaders and experts will tackle and you can be a part of the live audience. To sign up for tickets head to our News 13 Facebook page – or search for our event on EventBrite.
In Focus Live Town Hall: the State of Education – Tuesday, July 24th from Preservation Hall in Sanford.