St. Johns County moving forward to build new school in Nocatee

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla — St. Johns County is one of the top 20 fastest growing counties in the country.

As more families move to St. Johns County, the school district is forced to find new ways to keep up with the growth.

“I think it is booming around here,” explained parent Carolyn Schiltz.

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“Well there is a lot of families moving here so it’s not surprising,” Michael Dean said.

Parent Carolyn Schiltz knows what it’s like to deal with overcrowded schools, which is why she makes sure she's in the car line early to pick her two children up from Palm Valley Academy in Nocatee.

“The overcrowding is an issue and we need new schools,” Schiltz said.

The district says enrollment grew by 26% percent in one year alone.

They’re hoping 25 acres of land that was donated to them off Pine Island Road will be home for a new school.

The districts told Action News Jax it will help them save time and money.

“I think the school here has done a really good job dealing with overcrowding having to adjust classrooms and having people around bringing portables,” Dean said.

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“I think it’s good that they’re jumping on it to build a new location, but I think planning it out making sure they’re going to have enough room for the school and to make it just as good as Palm Valley Academy, is important, as well,” Scarborough said .

Earlier this month, Action News Jax reported about a new school that will be built off of International Golf Parkway.

It will be the first high school built in St. Johns County in more than a decade.

The district says it is also expected to open for the 2021-2022 school year.

Cox Media Group