Public School options in Jacksonville?

[Southbound2Jax]

Hi! My family and I are moving to Jacksonville and trying to figure out the best place to live with small children.

It appears that the options close to downtown are limited but I am asking for help in case I've missed something.

Here is what I've come up with so far that have well ranked schools:

1. Julington Creek Plantation
2. Nocatee
3. Ponte Vedra Beach
4. Jacksonville Beach (although rankings are lower)

I've also heard San Marco, but it appears that only the elementary school is ranked well there.

What am I missing? Is it possible to live near downtown and attend well ranked public schools? I also understand that there is a magnet system, but how likely is getting accepted? What are most people living in Jax doing about schools?

Any help would be appreciated!

[camarocane]

Depends on how long you plan on staying in an area. Avondale has Fishweir Elementary which constantly ranks as a top school in the county. Of course after elementary school, the schools take a nose dive in that area.

[FlaBoy]

I would focus more on the programs at the high schools rather than anything else. I would also encourage you to consider sending your child to a more diverse school in order to give your child a better perspective.

How old are your kids?

Also, your child will receive a fine education experience at most schools in Duval County. When schools are ranked as you have been reading, it usually just means the students are more affluent, not that the teachers or education are any better.

[CCMjax]

San Marco and Avondale/Ortega have excellent elementary schools and are close to downtown and are by far the most attractive traditional style single family home neighborhoods with character in the city in my opinion.  Less of a modern sprawling suburban feel in those neighborhoods.  But as mentioned after elementary the public school "ratings" go down.  There are many magnet and private school options.  The weird thing about Jacksonville is you actually pay higher taxes in the suburbs like St Johns/Nocatee/Ponte Vedra where there are really good schools at all levels.  A coworker of mine who lives in the Lakewood area south of San Marco found that in their situation they were actually saving money living where they lived sending their kids to a more affordable private school compared to commuting and paying higher taxes in the burbs.  Doesn't always work out that way but somehow it did for them.  Just something to remember, look into the taxes in different areas.

[CCMjax]

I would focus more on the programs at the high schools rather than anything else. I would also encourage you to consider sending your child to a more diverse school in order to give your child a better perspective.

How old are your kids?

Also, your child will receive a fine education experience at most schools in Duval County. When schools are ranked as you have been reading, it usually just means the students are more affluent, not that the teachers or education are any better.

Well said, I have another coworker (high ranking manager who takes education very seriously) who's kids are in Duval schools that have like a 5 out of 10 rating, so very poor rating, but he has no idea why it is that low and thinks they are getting a very good education.  His kids are also in AP classes.  So maybe that makes a big difference.

[Tacachale]

Hi! My family and I are moving to Jacksonville and trying to figure out the best place to live with small children.

It appears that the options close to downtown are limited but I am asking for help in case I've missed something.

Here is what I've come up with so far that have well ranked schools:

1. Julington Creek Plantation
2. Nocatee
3. Ponte Vedra Beach
4. Jacksonville Beach (although rankings are lower)

I've also heard San Marco, but it appears that only the elementary school is ranked well there.

What am I missing? Is it possible to live near downtown and attend well ranked public schools? I also understand that there is a magnet system, but how likely is getting accepted? What are most people living in Jax doing about schools?

Any help would be appreciated!

Welcome Southbound.

There are a few things to consider. St. Johns County (where Julington Creek, Ponte Vedra and most of Nocatee are located) has the highest rated schools in Florida. But if you're wanting a more urban environment, there's really nothing in the county for you, besides maybe St. Augustine. The rest of the county is really just a series of bedroom suburbs for people who work in Jax.

That said, the best individual schools are all in Jacksonville - the magnet schools and private schools. In Jacksonville, an unusual number of families have kids in private school, and the magnet program is very reputable. Also, the schools in parts of Jacksonville that are demographically similar to St. Johns County - especially the eastern Southside area - as well as in much of Clay and Nassau County, are comparable to those in St. Johns.

In the urban core, there are a few more options than it appears on paper. San Marco has the A-rated Hendricks Avenue Elementary. While the "official" district middle school is Dupont, you'll have good access to the magnet middle school in the area, Julia Landon, one of the best in NE Florida. From there you'll have access to the wider magnet system if that appeals to you. Schools are also on an upswing in a few other gentrifying urban areas, such as the Avondale and Fishweir area, which has an excellent elementary school, and the Beaches, which is well away from Downtown, but has more of an urban feel than other suburban areas.

Additionally, various schools, even some with unimpressive grade rankings, have pretty impressive IB, AICE, and AVID programs (St. Johns County is actually pretty underwhelming with those options, IMO.) http://www.duvalschools.org/Page/7181

Overall, my recommendation for families who want good schools but want to live in the urban core is usually San Marco: From Hendricks Avenue Elementary, kids with good grades have a pretty good shot at Landon Middle's magnet program, and from there the magnet high schools. You could also try Fishweir Elementary and then magnet middle school.

[Steve]

What am I missing? Is it possible to live near downtown and attend well ranked public schools? I also understand that there is a magnet system, but how likely is getting accepted? What are most people living in Jax doing about schools?

Schools can be tough. Avondale has Fishweir which is excellent, but much of the neighborhood is zoned for West Riverside. While the ratings are low, many parents that I trust love the school, so I'm not sure the situation there. The middle school isn't great however (Lake Shore).

Across the river in San Marco, Hendricks Elementary is excellent. Middle school is weird - it's zoned for a not so great Middle School. But, Landon Middle is right there, but is now a magnet as I understand.

In either case, the High Schools aren't rated great. Anecdotally, I'd probably lean to Lee (Riverside and Avondale) over Englewood (San Marco), but that is far from scientific.

In any situation, particularly high school, they have AP classes that can be excellent and not indicative of a school grade, for what that's worth.

As far as getting into magnets - doable but not a guarantee. I'm not an expert on the magnet programs so I'm probably not the best to comment on them.

[Steve]

Additionally, if you can get the AP Magnet Schools, the Middle and High are Excellent. The Middle Schools are James Weldon Johnson and Landon (I believe, someone correct me if I'm wrong), and the High Schools are Stanton and Paxon - both of which are routinely in US News' best Public Schools list.

[Tacachale]

I would focus more on the programs at the high schools rather than anything else. I would also encourage you to consider sending your child to a more diverse school in order to give your child a better perspective.

How old are your kids?

Also, your child will receive a fine education experience at most schools in Duval County. When schools are ranked as you have been reading, it usually just means the students are more affluent, not that the teachers or education are any better.

Well said, I have another coworker (high ranking manager who takes education very seriously) who's kids are in Duval schools that have like a 5 out of 10 rating, so very poor rating, but he has no idea why it is that low and thinks they are getting a very good education.  His kids are also in AP classes.  So maybe that makes a big difference.

Yes, AP (and IB, etc.) are light night and day even within the same schools. My cousins got excellent educations in the Terry Parker IB program, and my younger cousin has gone on to Stanton (for Southband, that's a magnet high school that's one of the best in all of Florida).

And yeah, the rankings are really just an average of a lot of measures. Duval schools are a lot more diverse than the 'burbs, which are wealthier and whiter. Students can and do get a good education at various schools, even if the average attainment is lower. There are likely to be other benefits too, such as a better perspective on life than is possible in an isolated school out in the suburbs.

[FlaBoy]

I would focus more on the programs at the high schools rather than anything else. I would also encourage you to consider sending your child to a more diverse school in order to give your child a better perspective.

How old are your kids?

Also, your child will receive a fine education experience at most schools in Duval County. When schools are ranked as you have been reading, it usually just means the students are more affluent, not that the teachers or education are any better.

Well said, I have another coworker (high ranking manager who takes education very seriously) who's kids are in Duval schools that have like a 5 out of 10 rating, so very poor rating, but he has no idea why it is that low and thinks they are getting a very good education.  His kids are also in AP classes.  So maybe that makes a big difference.

Yes, AP (and IB, etc.) are light night and day even within the same schools. My cousins got excellent educations in the Terry Parker IB program, and my younger cousin has gone on to Stanton (for Southband, that's a magnet high school that's one of the best in all of Florida).

And yeah, the rankings are really just an average of a lot of measures. Duval schools are a lot more diverse than the 'burbs, which are wealthier and whiter. Students can and do get a good education at various schools, even if the average attainment is lower. There are likely to be other benefits too, such as a better perspective on life than is possible in an isolated school out in the suburbs.

A high school like Terry Parker or Lee can provide great opportunities for IB or Early College. I know this is an additional step but since there is no affirmative action in the state of Florida, the highest ranked school in the state of Florida, the University of Florida, attempts to take the top of the class in most high schools in order to get socio-economic and racial diversity. I believe other reputable schools like FSU, UCF, and USF do the same to an extent. Depending what the college goals are for the children, it is almost better for them to attend a high school where they also have the opportunity to shine rather than be at Bolles paying $20,000 and getting denied from UF.

[edjax]

If you don't find an urban area to your liking, in lieu of heading out to lily white St Johns County you may want to consider Mandarin.  The Loretta Elementary, Mandarin Middle and Mandarin High Schools are all 'A' schools.  They are also much more diversified than you will find in St Johns County. 

[kidrcth]

Oakleaf has all the great Clay county schools.

[edjax]

If you don't find an urban area to your liking, in lieu of heading out to lily white St Johns County you may want to consider Mandarin.  The Loretta Elementary, Mandarin Middle and Mandarin High Schools are all 'A' schools.  They are also much more diversified than you will find in St Johns County.

Mandarin Oaks and Greenland Pines Elementary also feed into Mandarin Middle and Mandarin High and are also 'A' rated schools. Again, just an alternative to St Johns if you can't find a true urban setting to your liking.

[Southbound2Jax]

Thanks for everyone's replies!

I can see how St. Johns county can more easily attract people moving from out of town. It is difficult to navigate the system without being on the ground there.

San Marco would be great, but there is a risk that we'd have to move when it comes time for middle school. I think this would be very disruptive.

[JHAT76]

Thanks for everyone's replies!

I can see how St. Johns county can more easily attract people moving from out of town. It is difficult to navigate the system without being on the ground there.

San Marco would be great, but there is a risk that we'd have to move when it comes time for middle school. I think this would be very disruptive.

If you live in San Marco or Riverside/Avondale you don't necessarily need to move for middle school, but you do need to get familiar with the magnet program.  In fact, being in San Marco gives you a higher chance of getting in Julia Landon, which is a very good magnet middle.  The magnet program is very good.  Our daughter went to LaVilla, which is the arts magnet and we had a great experience.  Our son will attend James Weldon Johnson as part of the Gifted program and that also is a very good school. 

There are definitely good options for middle and high school.  You will have to put in some time and research and pick the best fit for you and your kids.

Feel free to PM me.  We've been through the magnet selection twice and know some of the intricacies.