Privacy Policy
Sunshine Online Academy is committed to protecting the privacy of students, families, website visitors, and prospective applicants. This Privacy Policy explains how information is collected, used, stored, and shared in connection with our website, educational programs, enrollment processes, and related school operations. Sunshine Online Academy operates through Sunshine State Academy K-12, a Florida registered private school accredited by the National Association for the Legal Support of Alternative Schools (NALSAS).
By using this website, submitting information, requesting enrollment materials, communicating with the school, or participating in school programs, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
Information We Collect
We may collect personal, educational, technical, and administrative information submitted directly by students, parents, guardians, applicants, or website visitors. This may include names, email addresses, phone numbers, mailing addresses, dates of birth, academic records, transcripts, prior school information, educational documentation, accommodation-related documentation, payment information, technology usage data, login activity, website inquiry submissions, and communications with school personnel.
For enrolled students, information may also include academic progress, course participation, attendance or engagement records, grades, graduation planning information, student support documentation, transfer credit materials, and official educational records maintained by the school.
How Information Is Used
Information is collected and used for legitimate educational and operational purposes, including responding to inquiries, evaluating admissions, processing enrollment, maintaining academic records, issuing transcripts and diplomas, monitoring student participation, providing academic support, coordinating graduation planning, communicating with families, processing payments, administering curriculum access, and maintaining school operations.
Information may also be used to improve website functionality, evaluate program effectiveness, manage technology access, ensure policy compliance, and protect the security and integrity of school systems.
Educational Technology & Third-Party Providers
Sunshine Online Academy utilizes third-party educational technology platforms, digital curriculum providers, payment processors, communication tools, document storage systems, and website hosting services necessary for school operations. These may include curriculum and instructional platforms such as Edmentum, EdOptions Academy, learning management systems, communication systems, payment vendors, and related service providers.
When students or families access third-party systems, information may be processed according to the privacy policies and operational terms of those providers. While reasonable care is taken in selecting educational vendors, Sunshine Online Academy is not responsible for the independent privacy practices of third-party services.
Website Data & Cookies
Our website may collect limited technical information such as browser type, device information, IP address, approximate geographic location, website usage behavior, referral sources, and similar analytics data through cookies or related technologies. This information helps improve website performance, usability, communications, and visitor experience. Users may adjust browser settings to limit cookie usage, though some website functionality may be affected.
Communication
By submitting contact information, users authorize Sunshine Online Academy to communicate regarding inquiries, admissions, enrollment, academic matters, billing, operational updates, and school-related information through email, phone, text message, or approved communication systems unless otherwise required by law.
Academic Records & Confidentiality
Sunshine State Academy K-12 maintains official educational records for enrolled students. Access to student educational records is limited to appropriate school administration, authorized personnel, educational vendors when necessary, and individuals authorized by the student or parent/guardian, subject to applicable law and school policy.
Because educational records may be required for graduation review, transfer evaluation, admissions processing, accommodations review, or administrative compliance, families acknowledge that necessary educational documentation may be retained as part of the official student record.
Payment Information
Payment transactions may be processed through secure third-party payment providers. Sunshine Online Academy does not necessarily directly store complete payment card information on school servers, depending on the payment processor used.
Data Security
Reasonable administrative, technical, and operational safeguards are used to protect information from unauthorized access, misuse, disclosure, or alteration. However, no online transmission, cloud platform, or digital storage system can be guaranteed completely secure. Users acknowledge the inherent risks associated with internet-based communication and online educational systems.
Information Sharing
Information may be shared when reasonably necessary for legitimate educational operations, vendor services, legal compliance, institutional administration, safety concerns, payment processing, transcript fulfillment, accreditation review, or regulatory obligations. We do not sell personal information to third-party marketers.
External Institutions & Requests
Educational records, transcripts, verification materials, or documentation may be released upon authorized request or when necessary for educational administration, transfer review, graduation processing, scholarship verification, or other legitimate educational purposes consistent with school policy.
Children’s Privacy
Because our educational programs serve minors, student information is collected and managed primarily through parent or guardian involvement where appropriate. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for providing accurate information during enrollment and school participation.
Policy Updates
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect operational, legal, technological, or programmatic changes. Continued use of the website or school services after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
Related Policies
Participation in school programs is also governed by the school’s Terms of Use, Program Policies, Student & Family Handbook, enrollment agreements, and related institutional procedures.