Public, Private, & Charter Schools

To locate a public or non-public/private school in your county, please go to the school facility locator websites.

Public: Directory

Private/non-public: Directory

Prior to opening or operating any school, you first need to contact the local county health department. In addition to the group care and food hygiene requirements, you must first get approval or sign off in the following areas before an environmental health inspection will be conducted:

• The building must be inspected and approved by the local fire authority as a school or educational facility.
• Local county or city zoning must provide written zoning approval for the school location.
• For non public schools the local county or city electrical, plumbing, and building department must provide a signed inspection approval or written approval that the school facility meets all local educational standards for the aforementioned departments.

Once the appropriate paperwork is provided to the local county health department, the DOH can begin to process your request and open your school.  In addition, any food service, including snacks or catered food, must be approved by the local county health department.

The State Department of Education (DOE) has the responsibility and authority to write rules for public and private schools in Florida and the Department of Health has inspection authority to apply the DOE standards, per statute 381.006(16). 

There are two different rules that apply, depending upon the type of school: public, charter, and private (Non-public K-12 grades).  However, in the case of charter schools, DOE standards apply based on the individual charter schools physical location.  If the charter school is located on public school property or property owned by the local county school board, the public school rule standards apply.  If the charter school in located on property or in a building not owned by the local county school board, then the private school rule and standards apply.  

Private Schools, Non-public K-12 Schools, and Charter Schools not located on local school board property: 

Chapter 6A-2.0040 of the Florida Administrative Code (FAC) (Link https://www.flrules.org/).  Any variance or waiver requests from this rule must be process through the DOE Agency Clerk. DOE Contact (link http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org/Information/contact_us.asp)  

Public Schools, Vocational Schools, and Charter Schools located in or on local school board property: 

Chapter 6A-2.0010, FAC, (Link https://www.flrules.org/) which refers to the Florida Building Code.  Any variance or waiver requests from this rule must be process through the DOE Agency Clerk. DOE Contact (link http://www.fldoe.org/department/contact.asp)

What to do, if you have a complaint about a school.
If you have a complaint about the food or an environmental condition at a school, you can contact your local county health department. For improved investigational purposes, please have the details surrounding the complaint, date(s) of the incident or observation, location/room within the facility it occurred or was observed, address of the facility, and any other pertinent information related to the issue.

If your complaint is about treatment, conduct, accident reporting, behavior, staff ratios or any non-food or environmental issue:

• Public School- contact their local school board or the DOE state Office at DOE Contact

• Private Schools- contact the school directly, any religious accrediting agency, or the Office of Independent or Parental Choice at DOE.

• Colleges/Universities- contact the college or university's main Administration.

What does an Environmental Health physical plant/group care inspection cover?
At schools, we ensure good sanitary health and safety practices are in place related to construction, operation, and maintenance among the children, employees, and visitors to the school facility. Our purpose is to prevent or minimize the risk of transmitting disease, injury, or bodily harm. The list below includes some of the primary areas the environmental health inspectors check during their inspection visit of the educational buildings. The DOH does not inspect dormitories.

• Maintenance & Repair
• Lighting
• Vermin/Animal Control
• Water Supply
• Liquid & Solid Waste
• Heating and Air-conditioning
• Sanitary Facilities/Restrooms & Showers
• Hand washing Facilities & Supplies
• Playground Equipment

Some Common Observations:

Also, wood structures and play equipment can deteriorate over time and through exposure to Florida's elements.  Here is a picture of a leaning fence on a playground that needs maintenance. In addition, climbing equipment can become splintery and need sanding or replacement to prevent injury during use.

Physical Plant Inspections?

• Public Schools
• Charter Schools
• Private or Non-public Schools
• Vocational/GED Schools

Good management practices for facility pest control and head lice.

Food Inspections.

When food is served or catered in a school, Chapter 64E-11 F.A.C., applies and a food permit is required.  The local county health department permits and inspects food service food service at all educational facilities.  For information on permitting, go to the Food Safety Website.