In St. Johns County, we all benefit from a community that values education and is supportive of the school system. Our schools also receive assistance and engagement from a high number of volunteers, business partners and most importantly, parents. I appreciate the involvement of our local delegation to understand Florida’s educational system and support our schools. The school district’s relationship with county government and agencies, law enforcement, and local municipalities goes well beyond that of other communities. One such show of support was the 2015 approval of the half-cent sales tax to enhance facilities, safety, technology, and new construction which has helped us manage growth throughout our county.
As a resident of St. Johns County there are many educational accomplishments to be proud of: • Character education is fundamental to the core values of our school system and community
• Our students perform well above the state and national ACT and SAT averages
• FSA scores are among the highest in the state
• The graduation rate has consistently been above 90 percent based on the federal graduation rate compared with the state average of 82.3 percent
• High School Career Academies provide specialized learning opportunities to prepare students for an
ever-changing job market
• Success in athletic and arts programs is evidenced by numerous state titles and outstanding performances
• Student leadership is embedded in the school setting through peer mentorship opportunities, volunteer programs and community service
Assessing educational performance and success can be a complex process. There are many data points that can be considered and school configurations such as magnet programs and selective enrollment can skew this data when comparing schools nationally. I am proud of the most recent annual report by Education Week
“Quality Counts 2018” placing Florida 4th nationally when comparing k-12 student achievement.
We will continue to put our students and your children first. There are students today who need additional support to get back on track. There are areas of academic performance we need to improve. We also need to have our eyes on the future so that students are ready for the fast-paced, rapidly changing world ahead of them.
The commitment of teachers and the support of the school communities is reassuring as we continue to build the most effective educational system for our students. The St. Johns County School District is a great place for children and we strive to improve each and every day.
TIM FORSON, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
