Duval Schools/Areas - which are the best? Giving up on SJC? (Jacksonville: movers, new house)

[fsu813]

well all the schools are listed in there so u guys dont have to guess which ones may be ranted ok or bad. also Darnell Cookman is a A ranked middle school that is transitioning into a high school too. I think they have sophomores or juniors there now.
magnet schools give preference to students in their district so u dont have to go through a lottery if its a neighborhood school.

also its good to go to a webite forum and ask other people living in neighborhoods what thy do about schools i think some have been linked and anothr good one is www.metrojacksonville.com

or here - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jacksonville-FL/Historic-Springfield-Jacksonville/124986934549

[rwbil]

When I first moved here I rented in St. Johns County for my daughter could go to Bartram Trail. I could not stand the remoteness. After she graduated I bought a home in Mandarin. Mandarin is a great area and close to everything. But even though Mandarin High School is highly rated for Duval County in does not compare to St. John's County schools, which are rated some of the best in the nation. I hear Fletcher is a good school if you want to live over by the beach.

[JagFan27]

Originally Posted by rwbil

When I first moved here I rented in St. Johns County for my daughter could go to Bartram Trail. I could not stand the remoteness. After she graduated I bought a home in Mandarin. Mandarin is a great area and close to everything. But even though Mandarin High School is highly rated for Duval County in does not compare to St. John's County schools, which are rated some of the best in the nation. I hear Fletcher is a good school if you want to live over by the beach.

I have to ask where are the SJCS rated as some of the best in the nation?

If you child is one the "Honors" classes track, they will get a quality education no matter where they attend. If they are on the "Standard" track, then they have to deal with the rest of the student population, The part that is not motivated, and could not care less if they complete the requirements.

[Dappleganger]

Originally Posted by JagFan27

I have to ask where are the SJCS rated as some of the best in the nation?

If you child is one the "Honors" classes track, they will get a quality education no matter where they attend. If they are on the "Standard" track, then they have to deal with the rest of the student population, The part that is not motivated, and could not care less if they complete the requirements.

Honors and AP classes are located within the same building as regular high school course, so even if your student is in those classes they still mix with other regular students in-between bells, during homeroom, in PE and other electives. If what you said is really true then why did Duval county create magnet schools to corral all the smart kids in one or two places? BTW, we have two teens (one just graduated) who were in honors and AP courses since the 8th grade so we do have some experience with this.

[JagFan27]

But, they are not in the same classes with the un-motivated student. Therefore, less discipline problems in the classroom.

[lightheaded1der]

Please make sure your children don't "mix with other regular students" during lunch and PE! It will only serve to teach them some social skills they might not otherwise develop and to make friends outside of the honors students.

JagFan27 is right- we have smart students graduating all the time from Duval county's schools. Don't buy into the hype. If your kids are smart, they will do fine anywhere.

[fsquid]

The only problem with Duval is that there are 2 excellent schools that you have to test into. Some people don't want to "gamble" with their child's education in case they don't make the cut (3 when cookman is a high school). I can understand that. My wife and I are taking a wait and see approach with our two kids. If they test really well, then we will probably try to move to San Marco where Hendricks and Landon are both good and they would be in the district with an eye on one of the big 3 for high school.

If my kids are borderline, I'll stay out here in St. Johns as the "safe" play.

[fsu813]

newsflash----there r more than 2 good highschools in jacksonville. and in most highschools you can take lots of AP classes too

[fsquid]

Originally Posted by Jax Questions

newsflash----there r more than 2 good highschools in jacksonville. and in most highschools you can take lots of AP classes too

There is Mandarin too, but if I want to move back into Duval, I want to be closer to the core.

[justjill70]

I looked over Duval school information this morning...I think I am going to have to get used to St. Johns County. I am sure there are good schools in Duval, but seems SJC is the best choice...ugh. Have I mentioned I don't want to move???