Escambia County sees rise in private school enrollment due to Florida's voucher program

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. -- Florida’s school voucher program is playing a major role in an uptick in private school students in Escambia County.

A recent report from a news outlet in south Florida shows nearly a quarter of all school-aged students enrolled in Escambia County are in private schools.

A local leader in private schools told WEAR News on Friday the voucher program is playing a significant rise in the school choice movement.

Most private schools in Escambia County accept the Florida universal school voucher program.

That bill signed by Governor Ron DeSantis last year provides around $8,000 per year per student to be used at private schools.

The number of parents taking advantage of this in Escambia County is telling. According to a recent article from the Palm Beach Post, Escambia County has the third-largest percentage of students attending private schools.

• Martin: 44.4% of all students
• Jefferson: 38.2% of students
• Escambia: 21.2% of students
• Miami-Dade: 20.3% of students
• Hamilton: 18.4% of students
• Bradford: 18.1% of students
• Pinellas: 16.8% of students
• Duval: 16.6% of students
• Broward: 16.2% of students
• Seminole: 15.5% of students

"It doesn't surprise me," said Mike Juhas. "I know the opportunities for school we're blessed with in Florida, and parents have the opportunity to choose public or non-public. It leaves the choice up to parents and it's a good thing."

Juhas is the superintendent of catholic schools in Pensacola, home to six private schools in the area.

He says they've seen a notable rise in admissions since the voucher program went into effect.

"Since the universal school choice, we've seen a 2% increase in enrollment," Juhas said. "But we already had lots of grades full with waiting lists. So we're seeing increased interest as well, so it's important for interested families to reach out now."

However, some parents say the voucher program is overcrowding the system.

"I want to talk about an issue that's been haunting me since my children were in grade school," one parent said at a recent board meeting. "And that's the middle school problem in Pensacola."

She told board members why she felt compelled to pursue private school options for her children. But she acknowledged during the public forum that the voucher program has led her children to stay in public schools due to the increased interest.

"Enter Florida's voucher system," she said. "I can't tell you how many waitlists."

Juhas says a waitlist for prospective students in Pensacola's private catholic schools isn't a new issue, but it's another reason to promote school choice.

"We have a pool of students that are wait listed and that happens and just shows the demand," he said. "I think it is a great thing. It promotes competition and allows families to have choice. And I think choice is a good thing."