Governor Ron DeSantis directed the Florida Department of Education to suspend four schools from the school choice scholarships over their alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party, but one school has since denied the allegations.
According to an FDOE investigation, Lower and Upper Sagemont Preparatory Schools in Weston, Parke House Academy in Winter Park, and Park Maitland School in Winter Park have direct ties to the CCP.
The investigation concluded that these connections -- "constitute an imminent threat to the health, safety, and welfare of these school’s students and the public."
“The Chinese Communist Party is not welcome in the state of Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We will not put up with any attempt to influence students with a communist ideology or allow Floridians’ tax dollars to go to schools that are connected to our foreign adversaries.”
Get South Florida local news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters.
Sagemont Preparatory School, however, denied the allegations and told NBC6 they were not even contacted before the scholarship funds were suspended.
"We have received notice from the State that our eligibility for Florida Choice school funds has been suspended. We were not contacted in advance and are seeking more information regarding the basis for this decision. In the meantime, we will be working directly with our families to ensure they can remain enrolled in our school," the school told NBC6 in a statement. "We are regularly acknowledged as one of the best private schools in our area and have a track record of delivering outstanding educational outcomes, which is why parents choose us. Our schools are locally run, abide by local, state and federal laws, and do not have ties to any government or political party, either foreign or domestic. Our curriculum is accredited, standards-based and academically rigorous.”
