South Florida is emerging as a “Geography of Genius” in education. Here’s why.
In a twist that might surprise many people, South Florida—a region better known for its beaches and nightlife than its classrooms—has quietly become America’s most dynamic laboratory for educational innovation. Strip malls and repurposed office spaces are being transformed into the unlikely incubators of an educational renaissance, consisting of microschools, learning pods, and tech-integrated academies that are outpacing traditional educational strongholds.
As Ron Matus, Director of Research and Special Projects at Step Up For Students, wrote in a recent industry report, “In Florida, the steady expansion of school choice spurred a net gain of 854 new private schools and charter schools over the past decade alone. In addition to the new schools, we had 20,000 students on the new PEP scholarship (the cap was 20,000) and this year, with the cap going to 60,000, we will have tens of thousands more.”
Critics might call it a fad, but as I stand in the bustling maker-space of our Acton Academy here in Fort Lauderdale, watching young entrepreneurs pitch product ideas for our Children’s Business Fair, I’m convinced: This is the future of education. And it’s not just changing South Florida—it’s poised to reshape learning around the globe.
It’s a transformation that challenges our assumptions about where innovation thrives and offers a provocative model for reimagining education in the post-pandemic era. As school systems nationwide grapple with outdated models and dwindling engagement, South Florida’s unexpected renaissance suggests that, sometimes, the most profound changes come from the places we least expect.
The Rise of a ‘Geography of Genius’
In his book The Geography of Genius, Eric Weiner explores how specific places and times in history became hotbeds of creativity and innovation. From ancient Athens to Renaissance Florence to modern Silicon Valley, Weiner argues that genius is not just born, but cultivated by the right environment.
South Florida is emerging as just such an environment for educational innovation. The region’s unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit, diverse population, and openness to new ideas has created a perfect storm for reimagining education. Here, a concentration of forward-thinking educators, tech-savvy parents, and ambitious students is fostering a culture of experimentation and collaboration.
This “genius cluster” effect is evident in the rapid proliferation of innovative schools, from project-based learning academies to tech-integrated microschools. Each new success attracts more talent and resources, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of innovation that is transforming South Florida into an unexpected epicenter of educational entrepreneurship.
But why? How did a region once known for beaches and retirement communities become America’s hottest incubator for educational innovation? I believe there are five main factors driving this trend:
- School choice policies: The State of Florida has implemented various incremental school choice programs over the past two decades, and then instituted universal school choice last year, which has created a favorable environment for educational experimentation.
- Demographic diversity: South Florida’s diverse population creates demand for varied educational approaches.
- Economic factors: The region has seen economic growth in recent years, which supports investment in new educational ventures.
- Entrepreneurial culture: Florida has a reputation for being business-friendly, which extends to educational entrepreneurship.
- Technology sector growth: While not on the scale of Silicon Valley, Florida has seen growth in its tech sector, which influences educational innovation.
A quick scroll of the LiberatED Podcast website shows the explosion of options available to South Florida families, from our own Acton in Fort Lauderdale; to Felicia Rattray’s Permission To Succeed Academy; to Surf Skate Science bringing STEM learning to homeschooling families and learning pods; to Priscilla Yuill’s Casa Ranch Montessori, focused on educating for sustainability and cultivating environmentally-conscious global citizens.
Collaboration: The Secret Sauce
In South Florida’s educational innovation landscape, support networks play a crucial role. While broader networks like Acton Academy worldwide and Florida Acton Owners provide valuable resources, it’s the local Innovation Education Network (InEd) that truly exemplifies the region’s unique collaborative spirit.
InEd brings together educator-entrepreneurs from Miami to Palm Beach County, fostering an environment where competitors become collaborators. When Shiren Rattigan, a fellow school founder at Colossal Academy and InEd co-founder, faced complex fire code requirements for her new building, she reached out to me for insights based on our recent experience. In turn, I’ve sought her expertise on navigating scholarship compliance and billing processes.
This “coopetition” model accelerates problem-solving and innovation. We share not only knowledge, but also resources. Enrichment programs like Toni and Uli Frallicciardi’s Surf Skate Science, Alicia Garcia’s Project Flourish, or Christa Jewwett’s Saltwater Studies provide hands-on learning experiences shared by many schools and homeschooling families. This cross-pollination of ideas and resources between schools, facilitated by fellow edupreneurs, creates a rich, diverse learning ecosystem.
The educational innovation landscape in South Florida is also deeply intertwined with local demographics and policies. In Broward County, home to our Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale, we’ve witnessed a seismic shift in family choices since the pandemic. The public school system has seen a staggering decrease of 50,000 students, with families increasingly opting for homeschooling, charter schools, private institutions, and microschools.
This mass exodus has forced local governments to reassess their approach to education. Broward County is now planning the closure or consolidation of five schools in response to this trend. This shift not only demonstrates the growing demand for alternative education models, but also highlights how family choices are reshaping the educational landscape and influencing local policies.
The willingness of families to embrace non-traditional options, coupled with the subsequent policy adaptations, creates a fertile ground for educational innovation. This dynamic interplay between family demand, innovative educational supply, and responsive local governance contributes significantly to South Florida’s emergence as a “Geography of Genius” in education.
South Florida’s thriving educational innovation ecosystem isn’t just a local phenomenon—it’s a blueprint for reimagining education nationwide. This vibrant network of educator-entrepreneurs, supportive families, and adaptive local policies proves that transformative change is possible when we dare to think differently about learning.
Watch the trailer for the upcoming documentary film about Innovative Education in South Florida, From the Ground Up, to be released later this year:
