If the Quigleys’ story sounds remarkable, it isn’t—at least not in Florida. For the past five years, the Sunshine State has welcomed a stream of education-minded families who, thanks to the rise of remote work, can now move and live anywhere. During the pandemic, many of these “digital nomads” sought out Florida because it was one of the few states that reopened schools quickly.
The stream of education-minded newcomers didn’t stop with the end of Covid. Many Florida private schools have reported increases in new students coming from other states in recent years. More than 500,000 Florida students now participate in a scholarship program, and 53% of the K-12 student population in Florida in the 2024-25 school year attended something other than their zoned public school.
The Marshall Center for Education Freedom is part of the James Madison Institute, a think tank focused on free market solutions for Florida. The President and CEO of the James Madison Institute, Dr. Bob McClure, discusses Florida’s revolution with Scott Jennings in the video below:
How did Florida become the premier destination for families and businesses? 📈🇺🇸@DrBobMcClure, President/CEO of@JmsMadisonInst breaks down the migration trends, population shifts, and the stark economic contrast between Red and Blue states. pic.twitter.com/KYdofm6jRA
— Scott Jennings Show (@JenningsShow) April 2, 2026
Action Line: States that innovate will be big winners even against competitors that are more than decent. Florida is one of Your Survival Guy’s top Super States of 2026. It’s no wonder so many Americans are choosing Florida’s free market principles as an alternative to their home states’ regulations and taxes. Click here to subscribe to my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter.
