District Facts
Mission
The St. Johns County School District will inspire good character and a passion for lifelong learning in all students, creating educated and caring contributors to the world.
Vision
All students will choose a learning path that leads to a well-rounded graduate who demonstrates good character and leadership.
608 square miles
243,812 residents*
85.7% white, 6.4% black, 7.9% Asian and other minority
Ethnicity – 8% Hispanic or Latino
*estimated
Source: www.co.st-johns.fl.us
18 Elementary Schools (K-5)
6 Academies (K-8)
7 Middle Schools (6-8)
7 High Schools (9-12)
1 Technical College
2 Alternative Schools (K-12)
1 Virtual School
3 Charter Schools
2 Juvenile Justice Facilities
First Coast Technical College
As the first Technical College operated by St. Johns County School District, this accredited school has 27 programs of study ranging from automotive services to medical assisting. To learn more about the school and its programs, please visit http://fctc.edu/.
The St. Johns County School District is fully accredited as a quality school system by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), a division of AdvancED Accreditation. AdvancED Accreditation is the highest level of accreditation that a school system can receive.
Class Size (Teacher-Student Ratio)
1:15.09 (PK-3)
1:17.52 (4-8)
1:18.20 (9-12)
A fleet of 258 school buses transports over 21,000 students more than 4.7 million miles per year in addition to 3,500 annual field study trips.
School cafeterias serve 73,375 breakfast and lunch meals as well as 44,900 a la carte items weekly.
Approximately 25% of the district’s students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Budget
1st in state in percentage of budget spent on instruction
Operating Budget – $368.2 million
Annual Operating Fund Payroll – $267.9 million including salaries and benefits
Capital Outlay Budget – $197.7 million
All Operating Income Sources – 53% local, 42% state and 5% federal
Funding per Student – $7,331
Millage Rate – 6.278 the highest rate allowed by state law
Half-Cent Sales Tax
On November 3, 2015, the citizens of St. Johns County voted to approve a half-cent sales tax to be used for capital improvements within the school district.
The District has completed construction on two new schools with sales tax proceeds, Picolata Crossing Elementary School and Freedom Crossing Academy. In addition to fully funding these two new schools, the half-cent sales surtax partially funded the construction of Palm Valley Academy.
For more information and to view the critical project list visit www.halfcentsuccess.com.
The school district is the largest employer in the county with 5,039 full and part-time employees.
| 2,785 | Instructional Staff |
| 2,074 | Support Staff |
| 65 | School-Based Administrators |
| 115 | District Administrators |
Race
Caucasian – 83%
Hispanic – 5%
Black – 8%
Other – 4%
Gender
Female – 78%
Male – 22%
1,011 full-time teachers hold advanced degrees and 30 are National Board Certified.
Enrollment (First 20-Day Count)
| K-12 Total | 42,414 |
| Elementary | 18,078 |
| Middle School | 9,833 |
| High School | 12,538 |
| Alternative Schools | 411 |
| First Coast Technical College | 477 |
| Charter Schools | 196 |
| Virtual School | 151 |
| Head Start/VPK | 562 |
| Dept of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) | 168 |
| Race | |
| Caucasian | 85.10 percent |
| African-American or Black | 6.92 percent |
| Asian | 4.48 percent |
| Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 0.30 percent |
| Native American or Alaskan | 0.17 percent |
| Multi-racial | 3.03 percent |
| Ethnicity | |
| Hispanic | 8.97 percent |
| Non-Hispanic | 82.78 percent |
| Undeclared | 8.25 percent |
The student body represents 114 different countries speaking 79 different languages.
3,509 gifted students and 6,521 students with disabilities who have learning or intellectual disabilities, emotional/behavioral or autism spectrum disorders, speech/language or sensory impairments and developmental delays. An additional 2,149 students with disabilities receive accommodations through 504 plans.
2017-2018 Florida State Assessment (FSA) and End-of-Course (EOC) SJCSD State Rankings:
| First in State in Reading | First in State in Math | |
| 3rd Grade | 7th Grade | 3rd Grade (tie) |
| 4th Grade | 8th Grade | 4th Grade (tie) |
| 5th Grade | 9th Grade | 5th Grade (tie) |
| 6th Grade | 10th Grade | 6th Grade |
| First in State in Science | First in State in EOC Exams | |
| 5th Grade | 8th Grade | Algebra I (tie) |
For additional information on state assessment scores, please visit http://fldoe.org/accountability
2018 Readiness for College –39 percent of St. Johns County graduates ready in all four areas tested (math, reading, science and writing) compared to state average of 21 percent
2017 SAT – 1158, above both the state average of 1010 and the national average of 1070
2018 ACT – 23, above both the state average of 19.9 and the national average of 20.8
2018 AP Exams– 67.3 percent received college credit, above the state average of 52.6 percent
2018 Graduation Rate – 93.3 percent based on the federal graduation rate compared to the state average of 86.1 percent
2018 Dropout Rate – 2.9 percent, less than the state average of 4.0 percent
2019 National Merit Semifinalists – 32 seniors placed in top 1 percent on the PSAT
First in the state out of 67 districts – in total school accountability points for the past nine years and is one of only two districts in Florida with a grade of A each year since 2010
2018 School Recognition Award Program – 31 schools received $3,229,751
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting – by the Government Finance Officers Association for fiscal years 2016 and 2017
Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting – by the Association of School Business Officials International for fiscal years 2016 and 2017
2017-2019 Healthy School District Silver Award – one of only seven districts in Florida to earn the Silver level for maintaining a healthy environment for students, employees and the community
2017 Energy Star Award – 27 SJCSD campuses among the top 25 percent in the nation for energy conservation
2015 SUNSPRA Sunshine Medallion Award for excellence in public relations for the Secretarial Leadership Conference ’15 by the Sunshine State Public Relations Association (SUNSPRA)
Governor’s Points of Light Award – CHARACTER COUNTS! initiative.
2019 St. Johns County Teacher of the Year – Danny Erb, Pedro Menendez High School
2019 St. Johns County Rookie Teacher of the Year – Kristen Meidling, Mill Creek Academy
2019 Outstanding School Principal of the Year: Amanda Riedl, Mill Creek Academy
2019 Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year: David Simpkins, Pedro Menendez High School
2018 School-Related Employee of the Year: Miriam Testasecca
2018 Volunteers of the Year
- Youth – Rohan Bhargava, Allen D. Nease High School
- Adult – Diane Grant, Creekside High School
- Senior – Norm Perkins, Otis Mason Elementary School
2018 Golden School Awards – 36 schools for parent volunteer programs
2018 Silver School Awards – 12 schools for student volunteerism (secondary schools only)
2018 Five Star School Awards – 12 schools for outstanding community involvement
2018 American Youth Character Awards – 39 seniors received $400 and 56 juniors honored for exemplifying the Six Pillars of Character
Pursuing Victory with Honor – only school district in the state to implement the David Mathis PVWH Award given annually to an outstanding high school athlete.
2018 Winner – Riley Smith, Bartram Trail High School
The Dr. Joseph G. Joyner Sportsmanship Award – Awarded to an adult individual in the community or school system who recognizes that athletics is an important part of the total school program in St. Johns County.
2018 Winner – Paul Abbatinozzi, Senior Director for School Services
2018-2019 Learning Legacy Lifetime Achievement Awards
- Vernon Davis, graduate of St. Augustine High School
- Paul Waldron, graduate of St. Augustine High School
Investing in Kids (INK!) is recognized by the state of Florida as the only direct support organization for the SJCSD. INK! sponsors various programs including the Teacher of the Year Celebration, Tools-4-Schools, Take Stock in Children, License for Learning, One for the Kids, Fund-A-Project, FLY and Ancient City Explorers. www.ink-stjohns.org.
More than 600 business partners support St. Johns County schools and 29,614 volunteers donated over 246,844 hours during 2017-2018 school year.
2018 Outstanding SJCSD Business Partner of the Year
- The Players
SJCSD instruction is:
- Based on the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards, the Florida Standards and best instructional practice
- Offered with high expectations which leads to higher performance as stated in the Core Values and the Strategic Plan
- Supported by professional development with an emphasis on reading, writing and critical thinking across all content areas
- Differentiated to meet individual student needs
- Supported by technology at all levels PreK-12
- Provided through standard and advanced programs including Programs of Choice, Dual Enrollment and/or the Johns Virtual Instruction
- Supplemented through Head Start in 24 classrooms at five elementary schools; Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) in 44 classrooms at 13 elementary schools and FCTC; Pre-school Exceptional Student Education in 37 classrooms at 11 elementary schools
- Supported by Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) programs offered at six elementary schools, one K-8, three middle schools and four high schools
- Broadened by Community Education which offers fee-based, non-credit evening classes for adult learners
20 High School Career Academies – http://academies.stjohns.k12.fl.us
Bartram Trail High School
The Design Academy – a rigorous and relevant Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program focusing on one of three concentrations: Interior Design, Fashion Design or Architectural Design
The Information Technology Academy – a coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards, content includes computer application skills, computer hardware, software applications, web applications, web page design, systems support and network concepts
The VyStar Academy of Business and Finance – an academic and internship program for students exploring career opportunities within financial service and entrepreneurship
Creekside High School
Academy of Emerging Technology – a program that focuses on two strands: Digital Media Technology or Cybersecurity
Academy of Engineering and Environmental Sciences – a STEM program focusing on two strands: Engineering and Environmental Science
Pedro Menendez High School
The Flagler Hospital Academy of Medical and Health Careers – a business/educational partnership featuring internships and dual enrollment for those students interested in entering the medical field
The FMAEF Academy of Architectural and Building Sciences – a program offering classroom instruction, building projects and internships for careers in architectural drafting, carpentry, masonry and other building trades
VyStar Academy of Business and Finance – an academic and internship program for students exploring career opportunities within financial service and entrepreneurship
Allen D. Nease High School
The Stellar Academy of Engineering – a STEM program that offers students a broad base of knowledge, skills and experience in drafting and design technology
Communications Academy – offers one of two career-themed paths: TV Production or Digital Design
St. Johns County of Hospitality and Tourism – The Academy of Hospitality and Tourism has partnered with the North Florida Hotel and Lodging Association, and local companies including Ponte Vedra Inn and Club and Sysco, to give students the professional skills and real-world experience they will need to find success in the Hospitality and Tourism industry.
Ponte Vedra High School
Academy of Biotechnology and Medical Research – a STEM program focusing on the use of living organisms to solve problems or make useful products from biological systems
Academy of International Business and Marketing – a program offering two strands: Business which focuses on hands-on training in an integrated academic and business curriculum or Marketing which focuses on the foundations of marketing management and functions
Academy of Information Technology – a program providing relevant technical knowledge and skills, content includes computer application skills, computer hardware, software applications, web applications, systems support programming and network concepts
St. Augustine High School
St. Johns County Aerospace Academy – a partnership program with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offering an introduction to STEM careers in Aviation and Aerospace Engineering
St. Johns County Academy of Future Teachers – a program exploring careers in education, students may earn their AA degree from St. Johns River State College teacher program while earning their high school diploma
St. Johns County Center for the Arts – a program providing artistically gifted students with a pre-professional program of study designed to develop their unique talents in the performing and visual arts
Academy of Law and Homeland Security – a program providing preparation for work in careers to serve and protect the public, state and country in law, law enforcement and Homeland Security related fields
St. Johns Technical High School
Academy of Coastal and Water Resources – a hands-on STEM program focusing on coastal, environmental and water resources
Academy of Culinary Arts – a curriculum that integrates academic and technical training for a variety of careers in the high-demand field of food service, preparation and hospitality
- AICE – Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (SAHS)
- AP – Advanced Placement Courses (All Schools)
- DE – Dual High School/College Enrollment
- IB – International Baccalaureate Program (NHS, PMHS)
Air Force JROTC – Bartram Trail High School
Army JROTC – St. Augustine High School
Navy JROTC – Allen D. Nease High School
Charter Schools
St. Augustine Public Montessori – provides a learning culture grounded in the Montessori philosophy to students ages 6-12 in grades 1-6. www.staugustinemontessori.com/
Therapeutic Learning Center – serving children with developmental and/or medical disabilities from birth to 5 years old. www.arcsj.org/TLC
St. Johns Community Campus – provides alternative education to developmentally disabled students ages 18-22, combining vocational training and integrated employment with community-based work experiences.
Tim Forson, Superintendent of Schools
Cathy Mittelstadt, Deputy Superintendent for Operations
Brennan Asplen, Deputy Superintendent for Academic and Student Services
District 1 – Mrs. Beverly Slough, Vice Chair
District 2 – Mr. Tommy Allen
District 3 – Mr. Bill Mignon
District 4 – Ms. Kelly Barrera, Chair
District 5 – Mr. Patrick Canan
School Board meetings are held on the second Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the School Board Administration Building at 40 Orange Street, unless otherwise posted.
Workshops are held at 8:30 a.m. on the first and fourth Tuesday of the month as needed.
The SJCSB has earned the designation of Master Board.
View our calendar for the 2018-2019 school year.
For additional information contact:
Christina Langston, Chief of Community Relations
St. Johns County School District
40 Orange Street
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Phone: (904) 547-7504 Fax: (904) 547-7523
The St. Johns County School District is an equal opportunity employer.
Updated 2.27.19