Inside Brevard Public Schools’ New Vision to Bring Homeschool and Public Education Together

BPS forging partnerships with homeschooling families

Brevard Public Schools recognizes and respects a parent’s right to choose Home Education as a valid option for the educational requirements of their children.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Not long ago, homeschooling families felt worlds apart from the public school system. What was once a fringe option has now surged into the mainstream, and nowhere is that more evident than in Brevard County.

Under the leadership of Brevard County Schools Board members Megan Wright, Gene Trent, and Matt Susin, the board is redefining what public education can mean for homeschoolers. In a historic move, it has overhauled policies to forge partnerships with homeschooling families, bringing them into the fold in ways few would have imagined just a decade ago.

Susin is an avid homeschool advocate in Brevard. Long committed to equitable access to resources, he has rallied behind homeschooling families since 2016, when he pushed to end the charges for dual-enrollment textbooks at Eastern Florida State College.

Susin said this was a critical step toward giving homeschool families equal footing.

“These parents pay the same taxes as anyone else, so they should have the same opportunities available to them in our educational institutions,” said Susin.

This year, he has pushed the envelope further. With homeschooling numbers booming and an ever-growing call for diverse learning paths, Susin hosted a series of groundbreaking community meetings in Satellite Beach, Melbourne, and Viera.

“These gatherings weren’t just policy updates, but an opportunity for homeschool parents to voice their feedback and concerns in person—and to hear firsthand about the board’s fresh, progressive policies,” said Susin.

Trent said the main objective is to bridge gaps, offer real-world skills, and help all Brevard children succeed.

“I have always been a school choice advocate,” said Trent. “I’m also pro-public education.  I’m a proud father of five children who are products of public education. As a Brevard County school board member, I will always support any policy or program that results in more students becoming a part of the BPS family.”

Susan Reynolds, who homeschooled her children from kindergarten through high school, has reviewed a multitude of homeschool portfolios for other homeschool parents, helped write and evaluate homeschooling curriculum, reviewed and recommended the best homeschool science curriculum, led collaborative homeschool groups, spoke at homeschool conventions, was a certified elementary and special education teacher, and has consulted with Brevard County on homeschool issues for almost 20 years.

“Finally, we’re seeing the school board recognize that homeschooling isn’t isolated; it has become mainstreamed, and we applaud the new direction,” said Reynolds.

“The changes represent what might be the most homeschool-inclusive policy shifts seen in a public school system in recent years.”

A Closer Look at the Policies Driving Change

The board’s revamped policies aim to provide unprecedented access and support, break down barriers, and build a blended educational model where homeschool families can draw on Brevard Public Schools resources.

■ Supportive Homeschool Policy Changes: This overarching change reflects the district’s commitment to an open, supportive relationship with homeschooling families, reinforcing their equal participation in the educational community.
■ Drive-In Classes: One of the standout policies is the ability for homeschool students to attend individual classes at BPS campuses. Do you want your child to take just chemistry? Now it’s possible. This freedom to mix and match allows homeschoolers to retain autonomy over their learning while supplementing with specialized classes.
■ Career and Technical Certification Programs: Another major win for homeschool families is access to career and technical programs. From automotive certification to culinary arts, homeschoolers can enroll in BPS programs to provide hands-on, practical skills.
■ Homeschool-Only Classes: In response to homeschoolers’ desire for collaborative learning, BPS has offered to create homeschool-only course offerings on its campuses. Taught by a certified BPS teacher, whole homeschool student classes can take Algebra, Biology, and a host of other courses. These classes are designed to offer a more tailored group learning experience for homeschooled families inside a BPS classroom.
Extracurricular Access: Homeschool students are now welcome in BPS sports, clubs, and extracurriculars—another step toward fostering community and providing equal opportunities for social interaction and growth.
Homeschool Advocate Volunteer Position: In a show of dedication to these initiatives, BPS has created a new volunteer position specifically to advocate for and assist homeschool families. This liaison role underscores BPS’s commitment to listening to and supporting homeschool communities.

A Collaborative Spirit Sparks Action

As a result of these open forums, homeschool parents took up the call to action.

“Groups have formed to tackle issues like creating a new homeschool-specific webpage linked to the BPS district site, ensuring homeschoolers have a voice in ongoing policy developments, and streamlining processes to make new opportunities easy to access,” said Wright, the current board chair.

At the third meeting at the Brevard County School District Headquarters in Viera, Susin invited district staff to answer any questions parents still had about the new policies.

Director of Compliance and Administrative Supports Patricia Fontan and Homeschool Education Administrator Robin Liebach took the floor, addressing procedural questions and discussing the new changes’ finer points.

The dialogue covered everything from benchmark testing and 4-H Club involvement to sports, extracurriculars, and support for students with disabilities.

Liebach and Fontan answered many of the group’s questions and will continue these conversations with a quarterly meeting format to ensure that any emerging issues or questions can be addressed swiftly and collaboratively.

This transparency has earned the board credibility and the trust of parents who have historically felt like outsiders to the public school system.

“I’m thrilled to see Brevard Public Schools taking such a forward-thinking approach to collaboration with the homeschooling community,” said Nick James, Executive Director of Bailiwicks Enrichment Campus, which connects homeschooling families with the resources they need to thrive.

“Homeschoolers have dynamic needs, choosing to educate at home for various reasons, and having this level of support from public schools sets an exciting new precedent. This partnership expands access to quality education across the spectrum, reaching families in unique ways that truly reflect their individual goals and values. Homeschoolers are some of the most dedicated advocates for their children’s needs. I’m hopeful that this collaboration with Brevard Public Schools will become a powerful tool in helping families meet those needs more effectively.”

Reimagining the Future of Education—Together

Susin has made it clear that this is just the beginning. He believes that by offering homeschoolers a genuine partnership, Brevard Public Schools can actively raise the next generation of skilled, prepared, and confident students.

“We want all kids in Brevard to be successful, no matter where or how they’re learning,” he emphasized. This new model is created to attract homeschooled families back into the schools, meet them where they are, and offer meaningful resources,” said Susin.

At a time when education is no longer one-size-fits-all, Brevard Public Schools’ efforts offer a glimpse into the future of public schooling—one where flexibility and collaboration take center stage. And for families who’ve long straddled the line between public and homeschool education, this may be the start of a new, exciting era.

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