Private, Charter & Out-of-County Placement Opportunities

In addition to Field Observation placement in public schools in Palm Beach County (SDPBC), there are other placement opportunities available with private and charter schools. Placements may be limited because of COVID-19 regulations. Students will need to comply with COVID-19 mandates and any additional required by the school. Some private and charter schools in Palm Beach County (PBC) require Level 2 security clearance (fingerprinting and background check).

These placements are secured by the student and a Permission Memo which must be completed and signed by both the student and school principal/director.  All placement locations must be approved by your instructor prior to beginning observation. For Out-of-County School Public School Placements (Broward, Dade, Hendry counties, etc.) keep in mind that you must meet their school district security requirements, as they can stop your observation at any time.

View list of Palm Beach County Charter Schools

Though 48 charter schools are part of the School District of Palm Beach County, the SDPBC Office of Professional Development does not place students at these charter schools. These schools place students on an individual basis. Placement will be determined by the number of inquiries, the number of spaces available and the date and time within the school year. Security requirements and placements are at the discretion of the charter school. If a school does not agree to place you, please select another charter school. If the selected school agrees to place you, please fill in the attached Charter/Private/Out-of-County School Permission Memo, have the principal or assistant principal sign the memo and submit the memo to your professor. Field Observation and Practicum students please note survey placement request links for fall will be available in September and for the Spring term in January.

View Private School Directory

Palm Beach County has over 100 private schools registered with the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). Observation placement is determined by the number of inquiries, the number of spaces available and the date and time within the school year.  Security requirements are at the discretion of the school. If a private school does not agree to place you at this time, please select another school. If the selected school or agency agrees to place you, please fill in the attached Charter/Private/Out-of-County School Permission Memo, have the director or placement contact sign the memo and submit the permission form to your professor.

It is possible there are private schools not listed on the FLDOE PDF. As with all private and charter schools, your professor has the final approval as to whether these schools can be used for the field observation assignment. If approved, the student would complete the Charter/Private/Out-of-County School Permission Memo, have the school principal or school director sign off on it to your professor. Field Observation and Practicum students please note survey placement request links for fall will be available in September and for spring in January.

If a charter or private school requires Level 2 Security (Fingerprinting & Background Check), the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO) is open to the public for fingerprinting services and no appointment is necessary. For more information on locations, hours and fees, please visit PBSO.org. Background checks can be done at PBSO Regional Offices for a fee of $3.00 (cash only), Photo ID and your social security number.  Please visit PBSO Central Records Division for a list of the regional offices and their contact information.

Palm Beach State College has signed an affiliation agreement with Martin County Public Schools to place PBSC students requesting field observation in their public and charter schools on a space available basis. Placement will be determined by the number of inquiries, the number of spaces available and the date and time within the school year. | More Information

Palm Beach State College has signed an affiliation agreement with St Lucie Public Schools to place PBSC practicum students requesting field observation on a space available basis. Placement will be determined by the number of inquiries, the number of spaces available and the date and time within the school  year. Please go to St. Lucie Fingerprinting & Drug Screening Process for College Students for the security clearance procedures to observe in St Lucie Public Schools.