Duval County Public Schools hosting School Showcase Saturday on January 7
As of January 1, applications for VPK (voluntary pre-kindergarten), magnet, and special transfer option schools are available for parents to apply and enroll their child/children in school for the upcoming year.
To assist families in the application process, Duval County Public Schools is hosting “School Showcase Saturday” this Saturday, January 7. All district schools will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., giving families the opportunity to tour schools and speak to school leaders and educators to make a well informed decision when choosing the best educational option for their child/children.
Assistant Superintendent and Director of School Choice Sharwanda Peek, describes the day as a fantastic time for families to “cross the threshold” and garner “a wealth of information” to make “a well informed choice.”
Peek suggests that families start researching prior to Saturday, through the event’s online showcase planner at www.duvalschools.org/schoolshowcase. Specific programs or themes can be viewed including dual language, visual arts, or career and technical education.
“We’re going to call that fact finding,” she said. “Write down questions and visit the schools of interest. Ask the important questions. "
According to Peek, although all of the schools are open that day, it’s not the only day families can visit.
“However, its the only day that every school in the district is open,” she continued. “We’re hoping that families can strategically visit four schools.”
Tours begin at 9 a.m., followed by 10:30 a.m., Noon and 1:30 p.m. consecutively.
DCPS is suggesting that parents view the “School Choice Countdown to the Lottery” video to understand the process for applying to magnet schools, special transfer option schools, and VPK programs.
Questions can be sent via email at school_choice@duvalschools.org. Appointments to speak with a school choice specialist are also available.
The application process closes on February 28.
As an extension of JTA’s My Ride 2 School program, JTA is offering free rides to Duval County families - including parents, guardians and students - who use public transportation to participate to attend School Showcase Saturday.
Duval County Public School students must show a valid student I.D. when boarding that will be good for two parents or guardians to ride with them for free. A free pass can be printed or downloaded from the School Showcase Saturday website. The passes are good for fixed bus routes on Saturday only.
“Since 2016, students have benefited from JTA’s construction of hundreds of miles of sidewalks so they can safely get to and from their neighborhood schools and we are very proud of that continued partnership,” said JTA CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. in a recent press relase. “We are proud to support this event which helps DCPS students better understand how to improve their mobility by using our routes to get to and from school, work and afterschool or extracurricular activities.”
Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene also expressed her apprecation in a press release.
“JTA is an amazing partner to Team Duval, and they continuously create ways to remove barriers and increase access to schools for our students and families,” she said. “School Showcase Saturday is a great opportunity for families to see our schools and meet our school leaders. JTA is ensuring all families can have that opportunity. Considering that JTA also provides free transportation to our middle and high school students through their My Ride 2 School initiative, JTA clearly supports our mission to ensure every child and family has access to an exceptional education. I have a deep appreciation for JTA as a partner to our schools.”
