Florida Virtual School
Florida's statewide online public school district for grades K–12. Courses are free for Florida residents through FLVS Flex (course by course) or FLVS Full Time (a diploma-granting public school); families outside Florida pay tuition through FlexPoint Virtual School.
What is Florida Virtual School?
Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is Florida's statewide online public school district. It opened in 1997 and now offers more than 200 courses from kindergarten through 12th grade, including AP, Cambridge AICE, honors, world languages and career courses. Because it is a public district, courses are free for Florida residents. Families outside Florida can take the same courses for tuition through FlexPoint Virtual School.
How it works
FLVS has two main programs, and the choice between them matters more than anything else.
| FLVS Flex | FLVS Full Time | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it serves | Florida public, private, charter and home education students | Florida K–12 students who take every course online |
| Enrollment | Year-round, rolling | Before fall and spring semesters; not guaranteed |
| Course load | 1–3 per semester for school students, up to 6 for homeschoolers | 6 per semester |
| Pacing | Self-paced | 180-day calendar with daily attendance |
| State tests | Optional | Required |
| Diploma | No; transcripts only | State of Florida diploma |
In both programs, a Florida-certified teacher grades work, holds a welcome call at the start of each course and is reachable by phone, text, email or video on weekdays.
For homeschoolers, Flex is the usual route. The parent approves courses, sets deadlines, keeps the portfolio and files the completion paperwork. Your child stays a home education student under Florida law, so the annual evaluation is still yours to arrange. Our Florida homeschool guide explains those rules.
What it covers
FLVS covers a full K–12 program: core math, English, science and social studies at every grade, plus electives such as coding, art and health. High school students can take AP and honors courses and NCAA-approved core classes. Elementary and middle school courses lean on more parent support, while high school courses expect students to manage their own pace.
Who it's best for
FLVS fits Florida families who want free, teacher-led courses without leaving their school or homeschool. It is also a smart way to add an AP class, a world language or credit recovery. It is a poor fit for students who drift without a schedule. Families outside Florida should first check their own state for a free online public school before paying FlexPoint tuition.
Pricing at a glance
Florida residents pay nothing for courses. Out of state, FlexPoint charges $475 per standard course per semester and $350 per credit recovery course per semester (as of October 2026). A two-semester course is about $950. Families supply the device, internet and basic supplies.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
In Florida, FLVS is already free. If your child uses a Florida scholarship, FLVS has separate rules for scholarship students, so read our Florida scholarships page and confirm with FLVS first. Outside Florida, FlexPoint tuition may be an allowable expense in some education savings account programs; each program decides. You can save FLVS to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist to the programs that match your family.
How it compares
K12 and Connections Academy run free online public schools in many other states, much like FLVS Full Time. For a private, self-paced option that works anywhere, compare Acellus. For a faith-based accredited school, see Liberty University Online Academy. Browse more accredited homeschool programs or our list of the best online homeschool programs.
Who Florida Virtual School is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Florida homeschoolers who want free, teacher-graded courses
- Florida students who need an AP, language or elective their school lacks
- Families who want a full online public school with a Florida diploma
- Students who need to recover or get ahead on credits
Look elsewhere if
- Families outside Florida who want a free option (check your own state's virtual school)
- Homeschoolers who want a diploma from Flex, which does not issue one
- Students who need a fixed daily schedule to stay on track in self-paced courses
Florida Virtual School pros and cons
Pros
- Free for every Florida resident, including homeschoolers
- Large catalog with AP, Cambridge AICE, honors and electives
- Real Florida-certified teachers who grade work and hold check-ins
- Accredited by Cognia; core courses approved by the NCAA
- Year-round, rolling enrollment for Flex courses
Cons
- Flex is not a school of record and issues no diploma
- Full Time enrollment opens only before each semester, and spots are not guaranteed
- Self-paced courses demand self-discipline
- Out-of-state tuition through FlexPoint adds up quickly per course
What’s included
- More than 200 courses, including AP, Cambridge AICE, honors, world languages and career courses
- FLVS Flex: free individual courses, open enrollment year-round, self-paced
- FLVS Full Time: a full public school with a State of Florida diploma
- Florida-certified teachers reachable by phone, text, email or video
- Accredited by Cognia (SACS CASI); core courses NCAA-approved
- FlexPoint Virtual School option for students outside Florida
How much does Florida Virtual School cost?
FLVS is a Florida public school district, so its online courses are free to Florida residents, including registered homeschoolers. Students who live outside Florida or the US take FLVS courses through FlexPoint Virtual School, which charges $475 per standard course per semester and $350 per credit recovery course per semester. Most courses are two semesters, so a full-year course is about $950 (prices as of October 2026).
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLVS Flex or Full Time, Florida residents | Free | Yearly | Free |
| FlexPoint standard course, per semester | $475 | One-time | — |
| FlexPoint credit recovery course, per semester | $350 | One-time | — |
Free trial: No trial is needed for Florida residents. FlexPoint does not list a free trial on its tuition page.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
Applications are not open on Edulist. Saving a product does not subscribe you or establish eligibility. Visit your wishlist to opt in for updates.
View wishlistFlorida Virtual School family reviews
Be the first to review
Loading…
Florida Virtual School FAQs
Is FLVS free?
Yes, for Florida residents. FLVS is a public school district, so Flex and Full Time courses cost nothing for Florida students in public, private, charter or home education. Students outside Florida pay tuition through FlexPoint Virtual School.
Is Florida Virtual School accredited?
Yes. FLVS is accredited by Cognia through its SACS CASI division, and its core courses are approved by the NCAA. FlexPoint Virtual School lists Cognia and WASC accreditation.
What is the difference between FLVS Flex and FLVS Full Time?
Flex lets you take individual courses year-round while you stay enrolled at your school or in home education, but it does not issue a diploma. Full Time is a complete public school with six courses per semester, required attendance, state testing and a State of Florida diploma.
Can homeschoolers use FLVS?
Yes. Registered Florida homeschoolers can take up to six Flex courses at a time. The parent approves courses, keeps the portfolio and handles the annual evaluation, because the student stays a home education student.
Can students outside Florida take FLVS courses?
Yes, through FlexPoint Virtual School. As of October 2026, standard courses cost $475 per semester and credit recovery courses $350 per semester.
Does FLVS have live classes?
Teachers offer live lessons. In FLVS Full Time they are required for grades K–8 core subjects and optional for most high school courses, except AP and Cambridge AICE. In Flex, live lessons are optional and vary by course.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: