Pasco eSchool

Creation Pasco eSchool was created by the Pasco County Schools on July 7, franchise of Florida Virtual School. It was founded for the 2009–2010 school year, with the first student graduating class in 2010. The school was founded by former principal JoAnne Glenn. More than 1,000 students attended the school in its first year. Expansion Pasco eSchool's passing rate in 2011 was the second highest in the state of Florida, with Pasco eSchool students the top performers in the county on the state’s algebra exit exam. By 2014, Pasco eSchool had become one of Florida's largest online schools, with some teachers having over 500 students during the school year. COVID–19 pandemic Pasco eSchool, like other virtual schools, was one of the alternate schools for students instead of brick-and-mortar schools during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The school was one of three school options (including mySchool Online, and brick and mortar) that the school district provided for students during the time period. In 2021, it was one of two options without mySchool Online. Student enrollment increased by 2,807 students in 2020, Former campus Pasco eSchool was based in a fringe rural setting, on the campus of Crews Lake Middle School == Campus ==

Since 2023, Pasco eSchool's office has been situated on the school campus of Angeline Academy of Innovation. The school administers Florida state testing from the classrooms in Angeline Academy. Pasco eSchool also uses the rooms for provide additional support to students, hold virtual instruction periods, provide offices for teachers, and host occasional in-person visits. High school students have their own in-person events, like learning labs at school. == Staff ==

Pasco eSchool has approximately 150 staff members working in various sectors and positions. Lori Wiggins is the current principal and has served as the position since 2024. with a student–teacher ratio of 19:1. Teachers are employed locally from Pasco County, == Students ==

Enrollment Pasco eSchool has served students K–12 free of charge. At Pasco eSchool, students do their school work using digital devices at home, and can work at their own pace during flexible hours. Pasco eSchool enrolls 1,480 full-time students yearly, serving students K–12. Pasco eSchool instructs 8,000 individual students both within and outside of Pasco County in total. Enrollment programs The school has a full-time and a part-time enrollment program. All K–12 students in Pasco eSchool full-time enrollment take all of their total six courses digitally at Pasco eSchool. Academic performance Pasco eSchool's students' academic performance is frequently evaluated through state assessments. For the 2025–2026 school year, the high school portion (grades 9–12) reported the following rates based on data from the 2023–2024 academic year: 50% in mathematics, 64% in reading, and 74% in science. The school's four-year graduation rate stood at 92%, In Spring 2025 state assessments, grade 8 students achieved proficiency rates in English Language Arts were similar to district averages. The school overall achieved a B letter grade for the 2024–2025 school year from the Florida Department of Education. == Controversies ==

Testing remediation disputes During the 2015 Florida Standards Assessments (FSA), Pasco County Schools, including virtual programs like Pasco eSchool, enforced strict remediation requirements for students failing initial tests, which led to parent protests over "high-stakes" policies. Families argued that the district's refusal to accept alternative evidence of proficiency disproportionately affected online students, contributing to a broader issue that delayed promotions and increased dropout risks. The Florida Department of Education later adjusted guidelines amid backlash. Competition with Florida Virtual School and enrollment decline Pasco eSchool has faced ongoing challenges from competition with the state-run Florida Virtual School (FLVS), leading to enrollment declines and funding losses for the district. In the 2023–2024 school year, Pasco eSchool's enrollment dropped by approximately 1,200 students, resulting in a $5 million shortfall in state funding, as parents opted for FLVS due to perceived flexibility and fewer restrictions. District officials responded by launching aggressive marketing campaigns, including emails and calls to parents highlighting FLVS's "inferior" quality and emphasizing eSchool's local support, though media outlets argued this bordered on misleading tactics. == Awards and recognitions ==

Staff awards At Pasco eSchool, staff have gotten statewide and national recognitions for their work on online teaching. == Funding ==

Pasco eSchool is funded by the Pasco County School Board since 2009. The school also receives state funding from Florida, which is contingent upon student learning success. == Courses ==

Curriculum Each course at Pasco eSchool is completed digitally and is designed to be finished by students in 18 weeks or less. Pasco eSchool offers the same courses as Florida Virtual School, The school has more course options than any other learning program in the State of Florida. Advanced courses The school offers several Advanced Placement (AP) courses for high school students. Dual enrollment and Cambridge® courses Pasco eSchool offers dual enrollment college courses through partnerships with Pasco–Hernando State College and the University of South Florida. The dual enrollment participation rate is 4% of students enrolled in grades 9–12. The school also uses the Cambridge International curriculum. == See also ==