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School Student County Set To Continue Decline?

    Lake County Public School students will return to the classroom next Monday, August 11, and if the school district’s estimates are correct, its student population will hit new lows for the decade.
    While Lake County has experienced explosive growth in recent years, that growth hasn't resulted in more students attending Lake County Public Schools.  In 2020, when Lake County's population was estimated at 384,000, Lake County housed 43,706 students, according to State of Florida data.  Today, the county's population has ballooned to an estimated 435,000, a jump of 51,000 people overall.  However, in the same period, public school enrollment has actually declined, with Lake County Schools this week projecting 42,946 students are expected on Monday, down from 43,291 last year and the lowest of the decade so far.
    Here's a breakdown of the trend:
2020-21:  43,706
2021-22:  45,845
2022-23:  47,466
2023-24:  48,318
2024-25:  43,291
2025-26:  42,946 (projected)
    The decline is likely attributable to a state law that went into effect last year that allowed families more flexibility in selecting educational programs.  The Family Empowerment Scholarship and other programs can provide up to $8,200 to students to attend qualifying educational programs outside of the traditional public school system.  In effect, it allows students to take a portion of their state funding with them if they leave the public school system.
    In January 2025, data indicates an estimated 524,000 students statewide had taken part in the overall program, which includes a variety of programs, siphoning money from districts all over the state and contributing to a difficult budget year in districts throughout the state.