Jacksonville has a lot to offer in terms of school options. But sometimes lots of options can be confusing! While a choice of schools has a lot to do with what you are looking for in terms of your child’s special interests, your geography in our giant city, and your budget, I hope this blog will help you narrow it down within the four critical category choices:
1. Public
2. Magnet
3. Charter
4. Private
Let’s break it down.
Public schools:
Starting with the obvious, the cost associated with public schools is born primarily by taxpayers, in both local and state taxes. Funds are allocated based on student enrollment, district needs, and local property values. The Florida Lottery also kicks in to school costs. So, you won’t pay extra tuition for public schools. Your kids attend at no additional cost to you. The determination of curriculum for public schools is a complicated collaboration between the Florida Dept of Education, the State Board of Education, local school districts, educators, legislative influence, and the Textbook Selection Committee. There are a lot of eyes on this one!
Magnet schools:
My kids are both magnet school grads, and we had great experiences with each. Magnet schools are also public schools, but they offer specialized curriculum or themes, and are designed to attract a diverse student body from across geographies. They typically require specific admission criteria, and you might need to complete an application for admission. Like charter schools (next paragraph), magnet schools focus on specific areas of study like science, technology, language, or the arts. These schools represent a significant opportunity to focus in specific areas without paying private school prices.
Charter schools:
These schools are also publicly funded and therefore tuition-free. Their name comes from the fact that they operate under a charter, or contract, granted by a state or local authority. They must be approved by the local school district, and their funding is also based on student enrollment. They also accept grants and donations. Like public schools (and unlike magnet and private schools), all students are welcome. Unlike public schools, they have the freedom to design their own educational programs and manage their budgets independently. Many charters schools feature specialized programming, like STEM or the arts.
Private schools:
The biggest difference in private vs. public is funding. Private schools are funded by tuition paid by families with students who attend, as well as private donations and grants. Private schools are independently operated and governed by a board of trustees. Private schools have the freedom to design their own curriculum, which may or may not follow state standards. Admission to private schools can include exams, interviews, and records reviews. Private schools often have smaller class sizes and can be flexible with how they allocate their resources. Private schools are not required to accept all applicants.
Examples of each in our local area:
I will highlight some of the MANY notable schools here. These are merely examples, and you can find lots more options online with additional research.
Jacksonville Beach Elementary (public) is recognized as a Blue Ribbon School – a prestigious national award based on overall academic excellence! They consistently turn in high scores in math and reading proficiency. https://dcps.duvalschools.org/jbe
Stanton College Prep (magnet). Ranked as one of the top magnet schools in Florida, Stanton is regularly recognized for its high academic standards and tough curriculum. It consistently ranks as one of the top 1% of public schools nationwide! https://dcps.duvalschools.org/stanton
The River City Science Academy (charter) has been recognized for their focus on STEM education. It has multiple campuses in the area and has earned the distinction of a High Performing Charter School by the FDLE. https://www.rivercityscience.org/
And finally, The Bolles School (private) has won numerous awards over the years in the arts, academics, athletics, and extracurriculars. Of particular (and recent) note is Bolles’ many athletic championships, particularly in swimming and diving. You might have noticed the names Ryan Murphy and Caeleb Dressel – both representing Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics. They are but two of the many athletes from Bolles who have gone on to prominence in sports. https://www.bolles.org/
Whichever direction your family chooses, you are sure to find a wide variety of options here in the Jacksonville area. If you are comfortable doing so, please let us know what you chose for your children – we can all learn from each other!
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