A recent change in state statute and rule now allows charter schools to co-locate within underused public school facilities. This important development provides an opportunity for Florida’s school districts to make better use of available classroom space and to bring new life and energy to schools with declining enrollment.
As Florida’s first School of Hope network, Somerset Academy is committed to partnering with districts across the state to ensure every student has access to a high-quality public education—no matter their ZIP code. We have identified several schools where co-location could create meaningful benefits for students, families, and the surrounding community, and have begun reaching out to districts to begin those conversations.
Our purpose is not to replace or displace existing schools, but to collaborate with districts to expand public access to underutilized facilities and provide families with more educational opportunities. While we have sent notices regarding a number of potential locations, our intent is not to operate in all of them. In fact, we anticipate opening only a handful of schools for the 2027–28 school year. Once final locations are selected, we will rescind notices for all other sites.
For nearly thirty years, Somerset Academy, Inc. has partnered with Florida’s school districts to provide high-quality educational options for students and families. That longstanding commitment to collaboration and academic excellence continues to guide our work as we expand access to innovative public education opportunities across the state.