Public-Private Partnership News
A Neighborhood-Approach to Education in 32805
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Lift Orlando and OCPS are partnering to create a first-of-its-kind public-private school model in the 32805 ZIP Code. The pilot at Orange Center Elementary will integrate high-quality academics with comprehensive wraparound support for students and families. Students currently zoned for Orange Center will receive priority enrollment, ensuring the school serves the local community first.
The partnership is designed to expand over time, with Orange Center evolving into a K–8 STEAM academy by 2029–2030. National partners, including Purpose Built Communities and Harlem Children’s Zone, will provide guidance and technical assistance. Lift Orlando will continue supporting other neighborhood schools throughout the 32805 ZIP Code with early learning programs, afterschool and summer programs, family stability services, and health initiatives.
If approved by parents, the pilot school will be operated by the Neighborhood Schools Initiative (NSI), an independent nonprofit supported by Lift Orlando and OCPS. NSI will ensure operational flexibility while maintaining transparency and accountability to the School Board. The public-private partnership aims to create a replicable model for community-based education that prioritizes academic excellence, holistic student support, and community engagement.
Key Dates for January 2026
January 5: Ballots mailed to parents’ homes
January 8–9: Community engagement events
January 12–16, 20: Ballot submission dates
January 22: Ballot count (at school) - This is a public meeting
WATCH: HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR BALLOT
FAQS aBOUT THE public-private partnership
What is happening? Following a unanimous vote from the Orange County School Board on October 28, 2025, Lift Orlando and OCPS have committed to a unique partnership to enhance education and wraparound support for students and teachers beginning with a pilot at Orange County Elementary following approval from parents in January 2026.
What is potentially happening at Orange Center Elementary? You may have heard some news about Orange Center Elementary and Lift Orlando exploring a charter conversion. That’s true. What’s important to know is that we are doing this in partnership with OCPS, and this is not a Schools of Hope initiative.
Due to recent changes in state charter laws, charter entities can take over underutilized schools when enrollment declines. 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.
We have been working in this school and this neighborhood for more than 10 years, and now we’ve formed a formal partnership with OCPS. If parents vote yes, Orange Center would convert into a neighborhood charter school designed to combine strong academics with wraparound support for students and families.
Who will operate the school? The pilot school would be operated by an independent nonprofit called the Neighborhood Schools Initiative, supported by Lift Orlando and OCPS. This structure allows for flexibility in staffing, budget, and curriculum while maintaining public oversight.
How will families and the community be involved? After the board vote, we will engage parents to gather their input and approval for launching the pilot model. An Education Advisory Committee (EAC) will also be developed to represent the voices of residents, educators, and community partners. Parents and families will continue to have opportunities to stay engaged throughout the planning process.
Will local students be prioritized? Yes. Students currently zoned for Orange Center Elementary will receive priority enrollment in the pilot school, ensuring that the model serves the children and families in the immediate community first.
What happens with current staff? Teachers and staff at Orange Center Elementary 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.
When could this start? If approved by the board and supported by parents, the pilot school could launch in summer 2026, ahead of the 2026–2027 school year.
How is this different from what’s happening with school closures? OCPS is currently facing declining enrollment across the district, which has unfortunately led to the decision to close seven elementary schools. When enrollment declines, schools face higher costs and fewer resources, which can limit programming for students.
This is all happening at the same time, but it’s important to be clear that the proposed Orange Center charter conversion is not related to the school closures or to Schools of Hope. Our request is about enhancing education in the neighborhood. We believe the time is right to deepen the investment in Orange Center and create a stronger, more supportive school model for students and families.
Will this partnership impact or change Jones High School? No. This public-private partnership does not change and will not change Jones High School. Jones remains a district-run public high school.
Our goal is to support Jones High students by helping more young people graduate well-prepared for college, careers, and life. Lift Orlando already partners with Jones High School through our EmpowerEd Program and scholarship support, providing funding and a coordinated ecosystem of academic, financial, and family supports.
Because of a recent Lift Orlando investment, every Jones High School student will be eligible to attend Valencia College tuition-free. Beginning with the Class of 2025–2026 through the Class of 2028–2029, Jones High graduates will have no out-of-pocket costs for tuition and fees at Valencia College.
Watch: Update for Orange Center Elementary Parents - December 5, 2025
New Public-Private Partnership between Lift Orlando and Orange County School Board Strengthens Education, Family Engagement, and Community Support in the 32805 ZIP Code
ORLANDO, Fla. (October 28, 2025) — The Orange County School Board has approved a groundbreaking Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with nonprofit Lift Orlando to pilot a new public-private school model designed to enhance academic achievement and expand holistic support for students and families in the 32805 ZIP Code.
Next Step: Following today’s approval, Lift Orlando and OCPS will engage parents to gather input and approval for launching the pilot model in 2026. An Education Advisory Committee (EAC) of 12 members will represent residents, educators, and community partners to ensure families remain involved and informed throughout the process. Under Florida law, only parents of currently enrolled students will decide whether the model proceeds to charter application and launch.
Neighborhood Schools Initiative (NSI), a nonprofit organization made up of parents, educators, and community leaders, would operate Orange Center Elementary as a STEAM Academy under the oversight of Orange County Public Schools (OCPS). The partnership would convert the school to a public charter school while maintaining full transparency and accountability to the School Board, bringing flexibility, innovation, and wraparound support directly into the classroom. This builds upon the five-year collaboration between OCPS and Lift Orlando that envisioned Orange Center’s expansion to a K–8 model.
NSI will be governed by a seven-member board comprised of parents, community leaders, business leaders, and education experts. The organization will be held to rigorous academic and operational standards, with OCPS maintaining full accountability and oversight. National partners, including Purpose Built Communities and Harlem Children’s Zone, will provide guidance and technical assistance based on their experience transforming schools and communities nationwide.
Orange Center Elementary will remain a neighborhood school deeply rooted in the community, offering classroom innovation and access to Lift’s ecosystem of wraparound services. Lift Orlando will continue to support other neighborhood schools in the Communities of West Lakes and throughout the 32805 ZIP Code through early learning programs, afterschool and summer learning, family stability services, and health and wellness initiatives. Orange Center Elementary will serve as a model for community-based education that can be replicated across the area in the years to come.
If approved by parents, Orange Center Elementary will serve as a hub of innovation and the pilot site for an integrated public-private model that combines academic excellence with holistic support for children and families.
Students currently zoned for Orange Center Elementary will receive priority enrollment, ensuring the pilot model continues to serve the children and families who call this neighborhood home.
If approved by parents, the new school model will begin implementation ahead of the 2026–2027 school year and expand to serve grades K–8 by 2029–2030.
More information will be available at LiftOrlando.org/eduupdate.
Proposed Memorandum of Agreement | Lift Orlando & Orange County Public Schools
On October 14, 2025, Lift Orlando participated in a working session regarding a proposed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Orange County School Board as the next step in exploring a unique public-private partnership designed to improve education outcomes in the 32805 ZIP Code. The recorded working session is available here. This discussion sets the stage for a formal board vote on October 28, 2025.
Lift Orlando and Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) aim to create an innovative model that strengthens academic achievement, enhances wraparound services, and builds stronger connections between schools and the neighborhoods they serve.
We're seeking to pilot this new public-private partnership with Orange County Public Schools at Orange Center Elementary. While Orange Center Elementary would serve as the pilot site, our commitment extends to supporting surrounding neighborhood schools that feed into Jones High School as well, ensuring that more students across the 32805 ZIP Code benefit from this collective effort.
Following the board vote on October 28, we will actively engage local parents to gather their input and support before launching the model at the pilot school. Parents at Orange Center Elementary will be the first to have the opportunity to consider converting their school and becoming part of this new collaboration with OCPS. Parents and families will continue to play a vital role every step of the way.
Together with parents, OCPS, and community partners, we are working to ensure that every child has access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to thrive right here in our neighborhood. We will share updates as this process moves forward.
News Coverage
Orlando Sentinel - “With Lift Orlando, OCPS poised to convert elementary school to a charter”
WKMG - “Orange Center Elementary eyes charter conversion”
Orlando Business Journal - “OCPS considers innovative public-private partnership for local elementary school”
WFTV- “They love their public school. Could a nonprofit run it instead?”
Central Florida News 13 - “New law opens door for charter schools to move into Orange County public school campuses”
Contact
For questions and feedback, please contact Mark Shamley at Education@LiftOrlando.org.
For media inquiries, please email C. Major at Major@LiftOrlando.org.