St Johns County School Districts Drive Summer Moving: What You Need to Know!

When the county you live in boasts the “best schools in the state of Florida”, it is no wonder that the summer season is peak moving season in our area. Whether you are relocating to our area for the school system, upgrading from your starter home, or building your dream home from the ground up, most of you are doing it over the summer.

Quite often I receive calls from clients saying, “I need a home in ‘blank’ school district” or who is building in ‘blank’ school district?”  Sometimes they do not know why they want a particular school district other than they “heard” that is the best.  There are several different ways to verify which communities are zoned for which schools as well as verify their school “grade”.

You can click on the link below and simply type in the address of the home you are interested in to verify if it is in the school district you prefer: http://www2.gis.bocc.co.st-johns.fl.us/SchoolAZ2/.  Even better, you can ask your Realtor® who should be knowledgeable about school zoning in our county!

The only proposed changes for the 2015-2016 school year involve (2) new constructions communities.

The Ashford Mills/Shearwater Communities, located in the general CR-210 WEST area, were originally zoned for Mill Creek Elementary, Pacetti Bay Middle and Allen Nease High schools.  The new proposed zoning includes Timberlin Creek Elementary, Switzerland Point Middle, and Bartram Trail High schools.  For these communities there is a total of 2,633 approved dwellings with 1,289 students projected to enter the school system.

The Encanta/Windward Ranch Communities, located in the general SR-16, WEST of I95, were originally zoned for Mill Creek Elementary, Pacetti Bay Middle and Allen Nease High schools.  The new proposed zoning includes Webster Elementary, R.J. Murray Middle and St Augustine High schools.  There are no homes currently under construction here as infrastructure is still going in, however there are 275 students projected to enter the school system.

Exceptions to Zoning:

• Career Academies provides students an opportunity to complete courses specific to a designated career area.  If you have a high-school aged student who is interested in a career academy, and that academy is not available in your currently zoned school, you can complete an “out of zone waiver” here.
• Grandfathered Requests. 5^th, 8^th & 12^th grade students can remain at previous school if a Hardship Out of Zone Application is submitted. 11^th and 12^th grade students already enrolled at Creekside that reside in Aberdeen may remain at Creekside.
• Student-Athlete Transfers: All student athletes who transfer out of district must meet FHSAA Rules of Academic Eligibility.
• School District Employees.  School district employees may request their children attend the same school in which they work or the school whose location is nearest where they work.
• ESE (Exceptional Student Education) Special Programs.  If your child is gifted or has a mild, moderate or severe disability and have unique learning needs, you can file for an ESE exception to attend a school out of your district that may specialize in your child’s special needs.

**Please note that if you are building a new construction home, the St. Johns County school district will not accept a hardship transfer based on future housing. **

The Florida School Grades website links together accountability reports with district performance outcomes to provide each school in the state of Florida with a letter “grade”.  Click here to verify the rating of the school district you are interested in.

Here are a few school zonings for new construction communities in St Johns county:

Oxford Estates (Mastercraft Builder Group & David Weekley Homes):
o Cunningham Creek Elementary, Switzerland Point Middle, Bartram Trail High
Heritage Oaks (KB Homes):
o Liberty Pines Academy (K-8), Bartram Trail High
Oakridge Landing (Lennar, Richmond American, Ashley Homes, Drees Homes):
o Durbin Creek Elementary, Fruit Cove Middle, Creekside High
Celestina (Standard Pacific Homes):
o Durbin Creek Elementary, Fruit Cove Middle, Creekside High
Mill Creek Plantation (DS Ware Homes):
o Timberlin Creek Elementary, Switzerland Point Middle, Bartram Trail High
The Reserve at Greenbriar (Mattamy Homes):
o Timberlin Creek Elementary, Switzerland Point Middle, Bartram Trail High

Remember when dealing with new construction homes that you should utilize a Realtor® with experience in new construction.  They can help you navigate the contract and ensure timelines given are realistic and are met.  Should any issues arise you want to know you have your own representation that is experienced with this type of real estate.  Call Amanda Houser, Realtor® at 904-466-0092 to schedule an appointment today to view the homes available new construction homes in St Johns County! For more new construction updates follow Amanda’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/amandasellsjax