ORLANDO, Fla. – More than 200 students at Legends Academy Charter School in Parramore, including eighth grader Shayni Simmons, say they are shocked and devastated by the news of the school’s closure.
“It makes me feel really upset and really confused because they never gave us an explanation on why they’re shutting the school down,” Simmons said.
The board of directors for Legends Academy voted to permanently shut down the school during a virtual meeting on Monday. Danielle Fleury, a parent, said the decision feels dismissive.
“It feels heartless. It’s like our voice didn’t matter at all,” she said.
Students say the closure is especially painful because of the years they’ve spent at the school.
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Fleury’s fifth grader DeAndre Lucien said his family has deep roots there.
“We’ve been here for multiple years. She (DeAndre’s sister) has been here for six and I’ve been here for five. We’ve made multiple memories and friends at the school,” he said.
Now, parents are scrambling to find new campuses for their children to continue the school year after winter break.
Shayne’s mother, Saleema Simmons, said the timing has made an already difficult situation even harder.
“It’s been extremely difficult. We’re going into a new year, and I have to take off the first week. I now have to get my son acclimated to a different school in the middle of his fifth-grade year,” she said.
Students said the stress has overshadowed what should have been a joyful holiday break.
“Instead of enjoying our Christmas time, it’s like we have to find different schools for us to go to,” said Fleury’s sixth grader Alisha Lucien, DeAndre’s sister.
In a statement to News 6, the school’s board of directors said, “After careful review of the school’s financial condition and long-term liabilities, the board of directors made the difficult decision to close the school due to unsustainable financial challenges.”
According to IRS tax statements obtained through ProPublica, the school — formerly known as the Nap Ford Community School — reported spending hundreds of thousands of dollars more than its revenue for several years. In its most recent filing for tax year 2023, the school reported a deficit of nearly $720,000.
“As an active parent, that was never brought to our attention,” Saleema said.
Parents also say they were previously told the school would be relocating to a new building off the C.R. Smith campus, making the closure even more unexpected.
“This is heartbreaking because we never expected that. Our goal was to be at the next campus,” Fleury said.
The school has been part of the Parramore community for more than two decades and was established in honor of the late Nap Ford, a former Orlando city council member who, along with his wife, helped bring a school to the neighborhood.
“She strived to keep the legacy of the school alive. To see her just as devastated as us—we know this will be heartbreaking for many, many years to come,” Saleema said.
In its statement, the board also said, “This decision was not made lightly and does not diminish the impact the school has had on generations of families.” The board says it is working closely with the school district to help support families as they plan their next steps.”
We reached out to Legends Academy regarding parents’ concerns and asked for more details about the school’s financial situation. As soon as we hear back, we’ll let you know.