Florida Scholars Academy

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather information from potential providers and subject matter experts regarding the establishment of the Florida Scholars Academy, a unified school district that will serve youth committed to DJJ residential commitment programs statewide. The department is seeking information on how a potential provider would develop an education delivery system, implement an accountability system approved by the State Board of Education, administer and maintain the educational programs, manage day-to-day operations, recruit and train personnel, maintain records and accounts, and provide students greater access to secondary and postsecondary educational opportunities. The Florida Scholars Academy will serve an estimated 44 residential sites in FY 2021-22 and 38 sites in FY 2022-23. Key deadlines include a question deadline of May 31, 2023, and a response due date of June 30, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. EDT. The legislature has allocated $12 million for the 2023-2024 fiscal year to establish the Florida Scholars Academy, with a recurring sum of $24 million starting in the 2024-2025 fiscal year for the Academy's operation.

The RFI is open to all interested providers, and the department is seeking solutions from providers with a proven track record of success to operate, provide, and supplement full-time instruction and instructional services for students to earn high school diplomas, high school equivalency diplomas, and enroll in postsecondary or workforce training programs. There are no set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond, and the department has not identified any incumbent vendors or current contractors. The potential award value is set at $12 million for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and $24 million for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and beyond.