Lee FlexEd offers options for students
Homeschool and private school students now have the opportunity to take part in public school programs through the School District of Lee County’s Lee FlexEd program.
The initiative allows students to register for open programs in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), arts, and career academies as of the first day of school in August.
“We believe we offer a great service to our students that would benefit students using the Florida Empowerment Scholarship (FES) by flexing their schedule to add classes that require specific expertise that may not be available through their home or private school curriculum. We also believe that with the limits of state funding, we must be creative in raising our own revenue. FES students have scholarship money for educational services, and by becoming a MyScholarshop/EMA vendor, we can offer our services to them,” district spokesperson Rob Spicker said.
By opening Lee FlexEd, students can enroll at one of the district’s schools for available programs and academies through MyScholarshop marketplace.
Spicker said one of the reasons the district chose those three areas is it has room for students to be added to the classes, as well as what students can gain from taking the courses.
“Our JROTC program is one of the largest in the country, teaching leadership, teamwork and planning skills that benefit students throughout their lives. Our arts programs are second to none, and our career academies teach valuable skills to start working right out of high school, open a business or prepare for college. An FES student who wants leadership skills can take JROTC and then participate in Raiders or Marksmanship. If they play an instrument and want to be in marching band, then they can take a class and play on Friday nights. If they want to weld or repair HVAC systems, they can join our academies for those skills,” he said.
Although the majority of the opportunities are offered at the high school level, there will be some classes for middle school students.
“Based on interest, we hope to expand in the future,” Spicker said.
Those interested in Lee FlexEd are asked to fill out a short online survey. It asks which arts programs the student would be interested in, such as dance, band plus instrument, band plus marching band, chorus, orchestra, visual arts and theater.
There is also a section for JROTC and career and technical education programs, such as outboard marine repair, automobile repair, welding, advanced manufacturing, principles of teaching, early childhood education, plumbing, electrical, HVAC and carpentry.
“It helps us determine what classes students are interested in so we can develop the final list of offerings. We will connect in a few weeks with the students who have shown interest to provide them the classes, locations and fees associated with them so they can begin the registration process,” Spicker said. “Classes will start on the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 11, and enrolled students will have an opportunity to visit the school before the first day.”
A survey should be filled out for each student interested in the program.
He said the fee structure is still being finalized, and payment will be required to complete enrollment.
“As a vendor, FES students will be able to pay directly from their Education Savings Account,” Spicker said.
Students who take part in Lee FlexEd will be required to follow the district’s rules and regulations, including the Code of Conduct, while on campus or participating in an extracurricular activity.
“Parents will also need to sign a parent agreement, outlining the benefits and limitations of the program. Since students and parents will be engaging in a contracted service, it will be important that guardians read the agreement carefully, as the fees will be non-transferable and non-refundable,” he said.
To take the online survey, visit https://forms.gle/6UJgvSgoZ4TRkH3NA.