Traditional School Enrollment to Decrease

By The News Service of Florida

Enrollment in Florida’s traditional public schools is expected to decrease in the coming years while voucher programs expand, according to a new report from state economists.

The report, compiled by the state Education Estimating Conference, said enrollment in traditional public schools is projected to go from 2,805,298 in the 2025-2026 fiscal year to 2,742,162 in the 2029-2030 fiscal year. It is estimated to total 2,813,213 during the current year, an executive summary of the report said. The numbers are “full-time equivalent” students.

Meanwhile, enrollment in voucher programs, including assistance provided to home-schooled students, is projected to go from 524,757 in the 2025-2026 fiscal year to 696,740 in the 2029-2030 fiscal year. The estimated total is 456,887 this year. Florida in recent years has dramatically expanded voucher programs to create what is often described as “universal” school choice.