The student count for the St. Johns County School District (SJCSD) the first day of school, August 10, was 43,409, an increase of 1,665 students or 4% over last year’s first day number of 41,744. St. Johns County continues to be one of the fastest growing school districts in the state.
The high school student count was 13,601 with 2,260 students at Bartram Trail High School, 2,383 at Creekside High School, 1,371 at Pedro Menendez High School, 2,119 at Allen D. Nease High School, 1,863 at Ponte Vedra High School, 1,615 at St. Augustine High School and 1809 at Tocoi Creek High School. There were also 181 students in attendance at St. Johns Technical High School.
Middle school attendance totaled 7,136, with student headcounts ranging from 634 at Sebastian Middle School to 1,382 at Pacetti Bay Middle School. The other first day totals were Alice B. Landrum Middle School with 1,090, Fruit Cove Middle School with 1,182, R. J. Murray Middle School with 641, Gamble Rogers Middle School with 835, and Switzerland Point Middle School with 1,372.
The district’s K-8 schools totaled 10,262. Liberty Pines Academy had a first day headcount of 1,581, Patriot Oaks Academy with 1,298, Valley Ridge Academy with 1,188; Freedom Crossing Academy with 1,775, Palm Valley Academy with 1,363, Mill Creek Academy with 1,691 and Pine Island Academy with 1,366.
The elementary school population totaled 12,042. This count only includes approximately 34% of all kindergarten students since schools stagger the kindergarten start date over a three-day period. Another 368 students attended the district’s alternative, charter and Department of Juvenile Justice schools.
“The preparation from administration, teachers and support staff to welcome students on the first day was amazing,” said Superintendent Tim Forson. “As I visited schools it was wonderful to see the excitement of students as they greeted school staff, engaged with friends and started getting acquainted with their teachers.”
“Transportation, food service, custodial and maintenance staff are making an exemplary effort in handling their responsibilities and supporting our students. The St. Johns Sheriff’s Office, St. Augustine Police Department, Public Service Assistants and Crossing Guards are supporting our operations and adding another layer of safety and security to our campuses. Lastly, I am grateful to our parents for their support as we manage the beginning of the school year.”
SJCSD staff will continue to monitor attendance numbers, balance classrooms and refine bus routes in the coming weeks.