ORLANDO, Fla. — Parents with students at an Orlando elementary school are wrapping up a vote this week that will decide their children’s educational future.

Parents at Orange Center Elementary School near Camping World Stadium are deciding if they want to embark on a pilot program to convert their traditional STEM magnet school into a public-private charter school. Each parent will have the opportunity to vote on the plan, which was proposed by the nonprofit organization Lift Orlando.

What You Need To Know

 Parents at Orange Center Elementary School are voting on a pilot program that would convert the school into a private-public charter school

 The plan was proposed by the nonprofit Lift Orlando, and has already been approved by the Orange County School Board

If approved, the plan could go into effect in time for the 2026-2027 school year

Parent Unique Brooks used to work at a charter school and said she hopes the new approach will bring more challenging classes.

“There also seems to be a lot of parental involvement and input in terms of what goes into the curriculum,” she said. “So, I’m also excited about that piece.”

Lift Orlando has been working to improve education, jobs and health services in the West Lakes neighborhood since 2013. The new plan for Orange Center Elementary calls for a STEAM school here. That’s adding the arts to the traditional science, technology, engineering and math model.

Dana Wallace has two sons who attend Orange Center Elementary and said she is excited about the “A” in STEAM.

“Adding arts, especially for the kids that are interested in the arts, it just makes the kids want to come to school,” she said.

Lift Orlando founder and President Eddy Moratin said the concept, which is backed by a team of charter school experts, will educate students while supporting their families.

“These wrap-around supports are not just about meeting the obstacles the kids might face, but about helping their parents be successful as well,” Moratin said. “Kids in successful households are most likely to be successful.”

He said Lift Orlando will work to provide early learning and after-school programs, housing and health care to students and their families to create a seamless network of services.

Brooks said she thinks this new model will empower students to grow emotionally while they learn.

“I feel like that also plays into your wellbeing in the classroom, which also sets you up with the mindset to be able to learn,” she said.

Orange County Public Schools will announce the parents’ voting results on Thursday, Jan. 22. If approved, the new model could go into effect for the 2026-2027 school year. 

According to information from Lift Orlando, students currently zoned for Orange Center Elementary School would receive “priority enrollment” for the pilot school. Teachers and staff, likewise, “will be prioritized for employment at the pilot school if they wish to continue working there.”

“Lift Orlando and OCPS are committed to providing support, competitive compensation, and professional development opportunities to retain the best educators and staff,” an information section on the nonprofit’s website says.

The site said the pilot will be operated in partnership with Orange County Public Schools, and is not a School of Hope initiative.

“Due to recent changes in state charter laws, charter entities can take over underutilized schools when enrollment declines,” the site said. “That is not what is happening here. Lift Orlando is not coming in as an outside operator, and we are not taking over a school due to capacity or enrollment issues.”