Florida Virtual Elementary School

Florida Virtual Elementary School in Orlando, FL, is a fully online public school serving 2,145 students in Kindergarten through 5th grade, making it significantly larger than nearby brick-and-mortar schools. As part of the Fl Virtual district, which ranks in the top 16% of Florida districts, this school offers a unique virtual learning environment that stands out for its remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of just 8.6%—far below the state average of 31.4% and every nearby school, including Bay Meadows Elementary (15.2%) and Tangelo Park Elementary (48.3%).

Despite high student engagement reflected in attendance, academic performance tells a more complex story. The school's state ranking has declined from a peak of the 73rd percentile (4 stars) in 2020-2021 to the 47th percentile (2 stars) in 2025-2026. Test scores are generally on par with or slightly below state averages, with 5th grade math proficiency at 52% compared to the state's 62% and Dr. Phillips Elementary's 78%. The school operates with a higher student-teacher ratio of 23:1, compared to nearby schools like Sand Lake Elementary (17.9:1), and spends significantly less per student at $7,299—roughly 40-45% less than Orange district schools, which spend between $10,665 and $12,926.

This virtual school draws from a wide geographic area, serving a different demographic than its closest physical neighbor, Tangelo Park Elementary, located just 0.23 miles away. While Tangelo Park has a 68.84% free/reduced lunch rate, FLVS Elementary's rate is 39.86%. The school's declining trend since its 2020-2021 peak suggests a need to re-evaluate academic strategies, especially as the post-pandemic educational landscape evolves. For parents considering this option, the school offers exceptional attendance engagement and cost efficiency, but families should weigh these benefits against the academic performance and higher student-teacher ratio compared to top-performing local schools like Bay Meadows Elementary.