Media Releases: August 8, 2003
The student count for St. Johns County Public
Schools on opening day, August 8, 2003, was 19,307, an
increase of 562 students over last year’s first day
enrollment figure of 18,745.
High school enrollment was 6,126, with 1,936 students at Bartram Trail High
School, 1,538 at Nease High School, 1,409 at Pedro Menendez High School and
1,243 at St. Augustine High School. Middle school enrollment totaled 5,021,
with student headcount ranging from 605 at Murray Middle School to 953 at Fruit
Cove Middle School.
The elementary school population totaled 7,926 but this count includes less
than 20 percent of the kindergarten population since most schools stagger the
kindergarten start date over a five-day period. It also does not include Durbin
Creek Elementary School students since they will begin school next week. Another
234 students are enrolled at the district’s four alternative schools,
with 181 of those at the Evelyn Hamblen Center.
“I visited 13 schools today in every part of the county and all were running
extremely well,” reported Dr. Joseph Joyner, Superintendent of Schools. “A
smooth opening doesn’t happen without hundreds of hours of preparation,
and I’d like to thank all of our staff for their hard work during the past
few months,” he added.
Two new principals greeted students as they arrived at school for the start
of the 2003-2004 school year. They were Wayne Jenkins at Ketterlinus Elementary
School and Jay Willets, principal of the district’s alternative schools.
In addition, two principals have been assigned to new schools this year. Paul
Abbatinozzi is the principal at Sebastian Middle School and Skeeter Key is
the principal at Hastings Elementary School.
Attendance counts will continue to be monitored during the next two weeks,
when student enrollment traditionally increases, according to Jim Welu, Director
of Student Services and Testing.
Additional information may be obtained by calling Mr. Welu at 819-7590.-30-
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