The first charter middle school, the Bay Village Center for Education, to be located in St. Petersburg, has been approved by the School Board and is expected to open next year. Five other new charter schools are pending approval. Parents who work for an employer sponsoring a partnership school are automatically eligible to enroll their children and should apply directly to the school. Placement is automatic if space is available. Otherwise, the school is required to hold a lottery and create a waiting list.
Parents are responsible for their own transportation.
Challenge schools offer an alternative setting for elementary students who face failure in the regular school program. The schools also provide parental support and coordinate with community agencies and business partnerships. Enrollment in a challenge school is determined jointly by the staff of the child's zoned school and the challenge school. Interested parents should discuss placement with their child's school principal. Five special-needs schools serve children who have physical, mental and learning disabilities that cannot be addressed in the regularly zoned school.