Students enrolled in college level courses that are made available to high school students such as Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment (DE), and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses will follow the curriculum outlined by the designated course standards. Parents have the right to request their student not be enrolled in these courses. This can be done in the myStudent Parent Portal.

For more information on the course standards for these courses visit:

Cpalms: https://www.cpalms.org/public/search/Standard

Cambridge International Education: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-advanced/cambridge-international-as-and-a-levels/curriculum/

College Board: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/course-index-page

International Baccalaureate: https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/

Pasco Hernando State College: https://phsc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2024-2025/catalog-and-student-handbook/

Florida Law requires schools districts and boards to:

Publish notice on district's website concerning parent's right to exempt student from reproductive health & disease education.

Have the human growth and development curriculum approved by the Florida Department of Education.

Specifies that reproductive health & disease education instructional materials are to be made available for public review & comment under a specific process.

It is the right of the parent and/or guardian to request to exempt their student from reproductive health & disease education. This can be done in the myStudent Parent Portal.  

Please click here for additional information

Every student is provided the opportunity to check out and utilize books (print and eBooks), periodicals and other resources at the school. Materials included in the school library/media center, including classroom libraries should be age appropriate and support state standards and benchmarks and course goals. Click here to find materials located in your school's media collection. 

Parents have three different options for their children to access library media resources (including classroom libraries).  

• Yes/Full access means that your student will have access to the print and digital library media collections, titles and databases in their school and on their myPascoConnect Dashboard.  
• Limited access means that students are able to fully access print resources available at the school but does NOT allow students to have access to the library/media digital databases and resources that appear on this list Library Media Digital Resources.docx and these resources will not appear or be available using myPascoConnect Dashboard.  
• No access means that students will not have the ability to access print or digital library media collections in their school or classroom. 

Parents would access Parent Portal in order to update the student(s)' school as to their preference for access to library media resources.  

Under Federal and Florida Law (20 USC 1232g and Section 1002.22, FS), “directory information” is not considered confidential information, and may be shared by schools without prior parental consent.  However, law does provide parents with the right to request that “directory information” related to their child not be shared (These same rights apply to “eligible” students, which includes students that are attending a postsecondary institution, or who have attained the age of 18.).  This is commonly referred to as an “Opt-Out” under FERPA. 

Pasco County Schools designates the following as "directory information": a student's name; address; telephone number (if it is a listed number); date and place of birth; participation in officially-recognized activities and sports; height and weight (if a member of an athletic team); dates of attendance; date of graduation or program completion; awards received; and photograph(s).  Please see School Board Policy 8330 for additional information. 

Below you will find a link to the document that outlines “Opt-Out” options for Media Release and Directory Information. 

Parental “OPT-OUT” Options

Parents or Guardians can complete this form in the myStudent Parent Portal.

Pasco County Schools wishes to seek reimbursement for certain services provided to your child by accessing the Medicaid Certified School Match Program. This program helps the District fund costs of providing special education services, behavioral services, therapies, healthcare and other related services. By selecting YES below you are giving the District permission to utilize student information in order to seek reimbursement through the program, satisfy review/audit requests and verify Medicaid eligibility. This is a critical source of revenue that provides important funding for the District. Please see the Medicaid in Schools web page for complete information regarding this program and the annual parent notification. 

Parents must provide consent via the Parent Portal.

Pasco County Schools will administer the Preliminary SAT 8/9 to 8th grade students and Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to 10th grade students at no cost to students. This test is used as a counseling and diagnostic tool, which can be used to foster student thought about advanced coursework and college/career planning. This is an optional test. If you would prefer that your student not participate in this test, please use the parent portal to opt out.

Every student is provided the opportunity to participate in the School Health Service Program provided by Pasco County School Health Staff in collaboration with Florida Department of Health in Pasco. As required in Section 381.0056, Florida Statues, the District's School Health Plan is to enrich learning by promoting the student's health and wellness. State mandated health screenings are performed in the following grades:

Vision- Kg, 1st, 3rd, 6th;

Hearing- KG,1st, 6th;

Height and Weight (BMI) - 1st, 3rd, 6th;

Scoliosis - 6th.

Additional grades or individual students may be screened based on need. All students new to the state of Florida grade K-5 will be screened for vision and hearing. Consent can be provided in the Parent Portal and will remain in effect for one school year or parent/guardian rescind consent for school health services. Separate parent/guardian authorizations will be required for the school clinic staff or school staff to administer daily or as-needed prescribed or over-the-counter medications, conduct medical procedures or provide medical treatment.

In emergency situations, when deemed necessary to preserve the life or health of a child, staff will provide endangered students with care and treatment for illness along with emergency health services such as first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or use of automated external defibrillator (AED) in accordance with the Emergency Guidelines for Schools.  

Each year the District administers a select number of student surveys. Parents have the right to opt out of their student engaging in these surveys. The list of District approved surveys for the 24-25 school year is below.

• Gallup - 5th -12th Grade (10 minutes, annual): Students' experiences at school largely influence their current and future success. Does a student feel that adults at school care for them? Do they feel like they belong, have hope for their future, and understand and manage their emotions? Measuring these critical elements of the student experience can accelerate a school's efforts to support student success. Students who are hopeful are 2.8 times more likely to say they get excellent grades than their discouraged peers. Gallup Education data and analytics show that students' engagement and hope for the future are linked to achievement, grades, absenteeism and plans after high school.

• Career Surveys - 6th - 12th Grade:  Xello is Florida’s official, K-12 career planning and work-based learning coordination provider. Xello provides students with the opportunity to design a personalized plan for the future by providing a career development experience that’s interactive and age-appropriate. In the Xello platform, students can:
  • Build personalized profiles to display their interests, skills and abilities
  • Take career matching assessments to guide and motivate exploration
  • Explore their options by reviewing career profiles, labor market data and postsecondary training opportunities
  • Set both short and long-term goals and track their progress with academic course planning and managing the college application process
  • Prepare for the world of work by developing a professional resume and creating shareable portfolios, and applying for local work-based learning opportunities
  • Continually learn, reflect, and re-assess their plans with the support of built-in college and career readiness lessons

• Student Coursework/Student Interest Survey - 5th - 8th Grade (45 minutes, annual): Student and Staff Surveys are designed to examine school culture for access and opportunity. Reports generated from the survey provide trends on information, expectations, and belonging around middle school advanced coursework. 

• Student Coursework/Student Interest Survey - 9th - 12th Grade (45 minutes, annual): Fall Student and Staff Surveys are designed to examine school culture for access and opportunity. Reports generated from the survey provide trends on information, expectations, and belonging in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) program, Dual Enrollment (DE) and/or Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE).

• Florida Specific Youth Survey – 9th – 12th Grade (35 minutes, annual or as designated by the Florida Department of Education): The FSYS is aligned to the required instruction for Health Education, including Resiliency Education, Civic and Character Education, and Life Skills Education, which will inform enhanced alignment of services, support, and instruction to better meet the needs of our students.

• Youth Behavior Survey/Florida Youth Survey - 6th - 12th Grade (45 minutes, annual): The Florida Youth Survey (FYS) is a multi-agency youth health behavior surveillance program coordinated by the Florida Departments of Health, Children and Families, and Education. The FYS is a statewide, school-based survey effort which includes four survey instruments: the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey (FYTS), the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), the Middle School Health Behavior Survey (MSHBS), and the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS). Schools and classrooms are randomly selected, and the survey responses are anonymous.

• HS Enrollment Termination "Dropout" Survey - 12th Grade (45 minutes, one time): Section 1003.21, Florida Statutes, also stipulates that a student’s School Counselor or other school personnel must conduct an exit interview with the student to determine the reason(s) the student has decided to terminate school enrollment and what action(s) could be taken to keep the student in school. The student must further be informed of opportunities to continue his or her education in a different environment, including but not limited to, adult education and GED (General Educational Development) Test preparation. Additionally, the student must complete a survey in a format prescribed by the Department of Education to provide data on students’ reasons for terminating enrollment and the actions taken by schools to keep students enrolled. The prescribed format for the Student Survey can be found at: http://www.fldoe.org/family/dropoutp/pdf/FLDropoutSurvey.pdf.

• Graduate and Leavers survey - 12th Grade (5 minutes, one time): Pasco County Schools conducts a survey of the high school experience for all exiting high school students as they complete their final year. The data is aggregated to learn trends informing engagement and common experiences for the entire group and is not utilized at the individual student level.

• Student-created surveys as a part of required coursework.

Students interested in athletics must have all required forms completed, signed, and submitted to the coach/school BEFORE the student can participate in off-season conditioning or in-season tryouts. For more information visit Athletics Webpage.

Guidelines and procedures regarding school choice including the application process, application windows, a list of schools deemed "frozen" due to student capacity and appeal procedures.

School Choice Webpage

Please click here for the Student Progression Plan

Pasco County Schools is proud to offer many high-quality educational options at each of our great schools. While most students are assigned to a school based on the location of their residence, our District provides families with a variety of school choice options and programs. We encourage students, parents, and guardians to explore all that we offer and to choose the best option for their student based on his or her unique learning needs and interests.

Please click here for more information.

The Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) Program was established during the 2019 Legislative Session to enhance Florida's menu of education options. It will provide children whose families have limited financial resources with the opportunity to attend the school that best meets their needs and enables them to reach their academic goals.

Family Empowerment Scholarship Webpage

A signed pre-participation form is required for Band, Eurythmics, & JROTC Students)

The teachers of these subjects will need to have a signed copy of the Student Participation Consent form on file for each student. Please contact your student's teacher for a copy of the form to complete.

Reasonable electronic use guidelines for students 

Description of the reasons that Pasco County Schools collects Social Security numbers for our students and how that information is protected and used:

Notice of Social Security Number Disclosure

The District implements the use of virtual communication and instruction platforms (“VCP,” such as “ZOOM”, “Facetime,” etc.,) to provide a situational alternative to physical meetings, and to supplement instruction when students and/or staff are not able to meet face to face. VCPs are owned and operated by third parties, and while the staff of The District will abide by all laws, regulations, and policies concerning the privacy of any confidential or protected information contained in any online broadcasts, it cannot make any assertions regarding the VCPs’ compliance with any applicable laws, regulations, or policies.

Legal Notice

Please click here for information

Click here for Student Progression Plan

As a parent, you are entitled to information about your rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These rights, or procedural safeguards, are intended to ensure that you have the opportunity to be a partner in the educational decisions made regarding your child.

Procedural  Safeguards Notice:  FLORIDA

Policy that promotes mutual respect, civility and orderly conduct among all District employees, students, families and the general public.

Respect and Civility Board Policy 8380

Comprehensive handbook of the complete Student Code of Conduct for all students, the discipline matrix, rights of students and procedures for due process and appeals

Florida Statute 1008.25 requires each district school board to establish a comprehensive program for student progression. Each district school board must annually report to the parent of each student the progress of the student toward achieving state and district expectations for proficiency in English Language Arts, science, mathematics, and social studies. The district school board must report to the parent the student’s results on each statewide assessment test. The evaluation of each student’s progress must be based upon the student’s classroom work, observations, tests, district and state assessments, and other relevant information. Progress reporting must be provided to the parent in writing in a format adopted by the district school board. Click here for more information on the Student Progression Plan.

Description and policy regarding bullying, harassment and teen dating violence and abuse (see also Student Code of Conduct)

Listing of Career & Technical Education programs available to Pasco students and the location of each program.

A parent has the right to request that his or her student be transferred to a different classroom teacher 

Classroom Transfer Process 

Each secondary school will offer District Sponsored Clubs for students. Additionally, there may be Non-District Student Groups offered. Elementary schools may offer District-Sponsored Clubs for students and/or Non-District Student Groups. For more information on what is available at your student’s school, please visit the school's website.

The Board recognizes that a course of study or certain instructional materials may contain content and/or activities that some parents find objectionable. If after careful, personal review of the program lessons and/or materials, a parent indicates to the school that either the content or the activity conflicts with his religious beliefs or value system, the school will consider a written request for his child to be excused from a particular class for specified reasons. The student, however, will not be excused from participating in the course and will be provided alternate learning activities during times of such parent requested absences.  

Below are additional resources to help with questions related to Board Policy 2240: 

• For information on the standards taught within this course, please visit https://www.cpalms.org/public/search/Standard. 
• There are instructional mandates that are required by the Florida Department of Education that may be covered within this course. For more information on these, please review Florida Statute 1003.42, Required Instruction. 
• Florida legislation and the Parent's Bill of Rights Webpage can be reviewed to assist with information and statutes on parental rights. https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/oll_documents/parent-bill-of-rights  https://www.fldoe.org/academics/standards/rules-statutes.stml.  

The District is responsible for receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints alleging discrimination against students with disability by failing to make or consider a reasonable modification to the District’s discipline, threat assessment, or law enforcement procedures (School Board Policy 2260- Non- Discrimination and Access to Equal Educational Opportunity).

(Denuncia Por Discriminación Basada En Incapacidad)

El Distrito Escolar de Pasco tiene la responsabilidad de recibir, investigar, y resolver alegados o denuncias por discriminación contra estudiantes basada en su incapacidad. Para estudiantes con incapacidades el Distrito Escolar de Pasco debe tomar en consideración una modificación razonable a los procedimientos establecidos con respecto a conducta, evaluación de amenazas, o interacciones con la fuerza policiaca. (Póliza de la Junta Escolar 2260- Contra Discriminación y Acceso a Oportunidades Escolares). 

Presione aqui para someter una denuncia o alegado

Description and location of the various dropout prevention programs that are available and implemented in Pasco County Schools.

Pasco County Schools (PCS) may provide, refer, or otherwise seek emergency medical care or treatment for a child when the child has been injured or is otherwise suffering from an acute illness, disease, or condition from which a reasonable person would believe that a delay in the initiation or provision of emergency medical care or treatment would endanger the health or physical well-being of the child. If PCS is unable to reach parents or designated contact using the number(s) listed on the child’s emergency card, PCS will take whatever actions it deems reasonable and necessary to provide or obtain care and treatment for the child, and to exchange both educational and medical information with a health care provider as necessary to support the continuity of care of the child.  Additional information can be found in this document.

Student education records are official and confidential documents protected by one of the nation’s strongest privacy protection laws, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). 

Parent Information to Correct Student Records (FERPA appeal)

Parent request form for a FERPA appeal

FERPA Notification 

Information about the food and nutrition services provided to Pasco students, meal prices and information regarding the criteria and application process for free/reduced meals.

2022-23 Meal Pricing:

Breakfast: -  Elementary: $1.60, Middle/High $1.75;

Lunch: Elementary/Middle $3.00, High $3.50.

Additional entrees, extra side items a la carte and snacks are also available for purchase.

Mandatory Instructional Safety Videos 

Per the Marjory Stoneham Douglas Safety Act, all students shall receive instruction related to Safety & Security and the use of FortifyFL.  Detailed information related to this can be found here. Below is grade-appropriate videos for your student.   All videos are approximately 8 minutes in length.  The videos include legislatively mandated safety information and instructions for your child. If you have more than one child in your family, ensure each child watches the appropriate grade-level video. 

Links to Videos: 

• Elementary School: Watch Here 
• Middle School: Watch Here 
• High School: Watch Here 

Beginning with the 2018-19 school year, a student enrolled in a Florida public school in kindergarten through grade 12 who has been subjected to an incident of battery; harassment; hazing; bullying; kidnapping; physical attack; robbery; sexual offenses, harassment, assault, or battery; threat or intimidation; or fighting at school the opportunity to transfer to another public school with capacity or enroll in an approved private school under the Hope Scholarship.

In Pasco County Schools it is a goal to provide high quality instructional materials to support the teaching and learning process. The selection of core instructional materials is governed by School Board Policy 2520.  The policy provides a guide for the selection, adoption, purchase, and procedures for parents/guardians/or residents to challenge adoption and/or existing materials.

Instructional Materials Webpage

Florida Department of Education Parental Rights Webpage

The School Board of Pasco County, Florida does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, or age in its programs, services, and activities or in its hiring and employment practices. You may contact the Equity Manager at (813) 794-2322.

Non-Discrimination Policy

FAC 6A-1.09550 requires each school district to provide notice on its website in reference to any online educational service that students or parents are required to use or are referred to as part of a school activity or function. This includes the PII (Personally Identifiable Information) that may be collected, how data will be used, when it will be destroyed, and the terms of re-disclosure, if any. This notice also must include the online educational service's terms of service and privacy policy if publicly available. 

Online Educational Services for Pasco Students

Information regarding the Health Information Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) and how Pasco County Schools protects this information.

Pursuant to chapter 39 all employees and agents of the district school board, charter school or private school have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

Reporting Child Abuse FLDOE flyer

All employees and agents of a public school district, charter school or private school have an obligation and legal responsibility to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators which affects the health, safety or welfare of a student.

Reporting Professional Misconduct FLDOE flyer

The District follows the rules set forth in Fla. Admin. Code R.  6A-3.0121

Any student who is determined to have made a threat or false report must be referred to mental health services identified by the school district for evaluation or treatment, when appropriate.  Any student who is determined to have brought a firearm or weapon must also be referred to mental health services identified by the school district.

Pasco Schools' Threat Assessment page

To Opt-Out of “directory information” distribution, make a written request to the Principal of the school your child(ren) attend, including student name, and student ID in the letter. (see Policy 8330)

Policy regarding the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and the process for students to be excused from this activity (see Policy 8800)

One of Florida's top virtual schools is right here at home in Pasco County! Pasco eSchool offers free enrollment in a full-year program featuring the best of tradition and innovation in education for students in kindergarten through 12th-grade. Students may enroll in Pasco eSchool as part-time or full-time participants in this nationally-recognized program. Students co-enrolled in public, private, or charter schools, as well as students new to Pasco County, are eligible to apply for enrollment or select ala carte courses at any time.

Information regarding Xello - an online platform available to Pasco's elementary, middle and high school students to assist with career awareness, career planning, planning, post-secondary life including post-secondary education, and financial aid information.