The Hernando County community has established a fine tradition of supporting the educational needs of students and cultivating that partnership provides a world-class education for students in the Nature Coast. Working together in Hernando County provides diverse and authentic experiences for students. Dr. Wayne Alexander, Superintendent of Schools wrote, "With the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce's drive to 'Step up to Success' and Hernando County Schools 'Quest for Excellence,' we will combine our efforts to offer a first class education in our community."

Education is expanding in Hernando County with the addition of new schools making room for more students and brighter futures. More than 22,300 students are currently enrolled in the public school system. Twenty-one schools continue their 'Quest for Excellence' by providing a progressive, child centered curriculum in a caring and inspiring environment.

Explorer K-8 School, Hernando County's newest school, serving students from kindergarten through 8th grade, opened in August 2008. It includes the district's gifted center and exceptional student education. More changes on high school campuses include adding "Career Academies" to their curriculum for the upcoming year. International Business and Marketing, Web Design, Veterinary Assistant, and Health Sciences will be offered. In addition, high schools offer accelerated program options such as Honors, Advanced Placement courses and the College Dual Enrollment program.

Several private schools in Hernando County train elementary through high school students as well. Directory listings present further information on private school education. Pasco-Hernando Community College (PHCC) offers an array of educational opportunities for students. These include an AA degree for students transferring to college and universities, a variety of AS degrees for students seeking career training and shorter certification programs for less intensive training. USF courses are also available on PHCC campuses. In addition, the Community College also offers many non-credits, continuing education courses.

Traveling south to Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, University of South Florida and University of Tampa in Tampa provide a variety of degrees ranging from Bachelors to Doctorate degrees.

Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Wayne Alexander - 352.797.7001

School Board Members
Pat Fagan, Member - 352.596.5162
Sandra Nicholson, Chairperson - 352.799.0170
Dianne Bonfield, Member - 352.799.7145
James Yant, Member - 352.799.1564
John K. Sweeney, Member - 352.686.1782

SCHOLASTIC ACCOLADES HIGH SCHOOLS
Central High School - #2 Jr. ROTC in the Country
Nature Coast Technical High School - National Youth Energy Summit Winner
Springstead High School - National Merit Finalist Students
Hernando High School - Future Farmers of America (FFA) State Leader

MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Challenger K-8 School of Science & Mathematics - Magnet, Micro Society
Explorer K-8 School - Quest for Excellence Academy
Gulf Coast Academy of Science & Technology - Charter School
JD Floyd K-8 School of Environmental Sciences
DS Parrot Middle School - Performing Arts
Powell Middle School - Micro Society

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Brooksville Elementary School - Global Studies Theme School
Challenger K-8 School of Science & Mathematics
Chocachatti Elementary School - Magnet, Micro Society & Center for the Arts
Deltona Elementary School - Digital Doves
Eastside Elementary School - Accelerated Reader
Explorer K-8 School - Quest for Excellence Academy Gifted Education
JD Floyd K-8 School of Environmental Sciences - Governor's Reading Recognition
Moton Elementary School - Writing Lunch Club
Pine Grove Elementary School - Five Star Award
Spring Hill Elementary School - Community Service Program
Suncoast Elementary School - Project Based Learning
Westside Elementary School - Single-Gender Pilot Program

ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS
STAR Education Center - Plant Nursery Program

LEARNING CENTERS
Springs Coast Environmental Center - Hands-On Science Curriculum

EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Hernando Co. Education Foundation - 352.797.7029

HIGH SCHOOLS
Central High School - 352.797.7020
Hernando High School - 352.797.7015
Nature Coast Technical High School - 352.797.7088
Springstead High School - 352.797.7010

MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Challenger K-8 School of Science and Mathematics - 352.796.7024
Explorer K-8 School - 352.797.7094
Fox Chapel Middle School - 352.797.7025
Gulf Coast Academy of Science & Technology (Charter) - 352.688.5092
JD Floyd K-8 School of Environmental Sciences - 352.797.7055
DS Parrott Middle School - 352.797.7075
Powell Middle School - 352.797.7095
West Hernando Middle School - 352.797.7035

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Brooksville Elementary School - 352.797.7014
Challenger K-8 School of Science and Mathematics - 352.797.7024
Chocachatti Elementary School - 352.797.7067
Deltona Elementary School - 352.797.7040
Eastside Elementary School - 352.797.7045
JD Floyd K-8 School of Environmental Science - 352.797.7055
Moton Elementary School - 352.797.7065
Pine Grove Elementary School - 352.797.7090
Spring Hill Elementary School - 352.797.7030
Suncoast Elementary School - 352.797.7085
Westside Elementary School - 352.797.7080

ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS
STAR Education Center - 352.797.7013

SCIENCE LEARNING CENTER
Springs Coast Environmental Education Center - 352.592.5737

PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Faith Christian Academy - 352.686.9350
First United Methodist School Center - 352.796.3496
Notre Dame Catholic School - 352.683.0755
Spring Hill Christian Academy - 352.683.8485
Hernando Christian Academy - 352.796.0616
West Hernando Christian - 352.688.9918
Wider Horizons School - 352.686.1934

COLLEGES
Barry University - 352.797.5167
Hodges University - 727.816.3482
Pasco Hernando Community College - 352.796.6726

SPECIAL EDUCATION
Eckerd Alternative Treatment Program - 352.796.9493 or 800.822.4385

LEARNING CENTERS
Sylvan Learning Center - 352.688.3224
Huntington Learning Center - 352.666.2441