St. Johns County Schools start year with 2,240 more students

District sees 6% increase on first day of school

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The student count for the St. Johns County School District the first day of school, Aug. 12, was 39,159, an increase of 2,240 students or 6% over last year’s first day number of 36,919. St. Johns County continues to be one of the fastest growing school districts in the state.

The high school student count was 12,213 with 2,847 students at Bartram Trail High School, 2,217 at Creekside High School, 1,137 at Pedro Menendez High School, 2,669 at Allen D. Nease High School, 1,780 at Ponte Vedra High School and 1,563 at St. Augustine High School. There were also 271 students in attendance at St. Johns Technical High School.

Middle school attendance totaled 7,238, with student headcounts ranging from 727 at Sebastian Middle School to 1,321 at Pacetti Bay Middle School. The other first-day figures were Alice B. Landrum Middle School with 1,154, Fruit Cove Middle School with 1,208, R. J. Murray Middle School with 704, Gamble Rogers Middle School with 866, and Switzerland Point Middle School with 1,258.

The district’s K-8 schools totaled 7,965. Liberty Pines Academy had a first day headcount of 1,404, Patriot Oaks Academy with 1,284, Valley Ridge Academy with 1,246; Freedom Crossing Academy with 1,302, Palm Valley Academy with 1,623, and Mill Creek Academy with 1,106.

The elementary school population totaled 11,108. This count only includes approximately 25% of all kindergarten students since schools stagger the kindergarten start date over a four-day period. Another 364 students are enrolled at the district’s alternative, charter and Department of Juvenile Justice schools.

First Coast Technical College has 137 students who attended its adult education programs at the St. Augustine, Barge Port and North campuses. This number does not include those students enrolled in night programs that start today.

“The hard work and dedication from administration, teachers and support staff to make opening day the very best resulted in smiling students engaging with their friends and eager to learn,” said Superintendent Tim Forson. “I am so proud of our students and staff. It was wonderful to be out in the schools to share in the excitement of the first day.”

“Transportation, food service, custodial and maintenance staff are doing an excellent job handling their responsibilities and taking care of students. All local law enforcement agencies, Allied Universal School Security Guards, Public Service Assistants and Crossing Guards are incredible in supporting our operations and adding another layer of safety and security to our campuses and surrounding areas. Lastly, I want to say a huge thank you to our parents and families as we manage the beginning of the school year.”

SJCSD staff will continue to monitor attendance numbers, balance classrooms and refine bus routes throughout the coming weeks.