JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Duval County School Board is considering changes to school zone boundaries for Chaffee Trail Middle School in response to higher-than-expected enrollment.
The school, which opened last August, is already over capacity, prompting the need for adjustments to accommodate the growing student population.
The proposed changes would impact students at three different schools: Chaffee Trail Middle, Lakeshore Middle and Westside Middle.
Under the plan, boundary lines would shift to move students from Chaffee Trail to Lakeshore and Westside, both of which have lower enrollment rates.
“This is the first new middle school that we built... You saw if we build it they will come,” said Duval County School Board Chairman Darryl Willie.
Chaffee Trail Middle School is facing the challenge of accommodating hundreds of new students expected next year.
Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier highlighted the urgency of the situation.
“We’ve got indications this upcoming school year as many as 600 to 800 students to arrive at Chaffee in the 6th grade alone,” Bernier said. “That would overwhelm a school that is already at or above capacity.”
The proposed boundary changes aim to provide relief for Chaffee Trail while increasing enrollment at Lakeshore and Westside Middle Schools.
Bernier emphasized the positive aspect of the situation.
“This will not only provide relief for Chaffee, they’ll increase the amount of enrollment at school buildings that are slightly under-enrolled at this point and that will leave room for future growth,” Bernier said.
The changes are expected to go into effect in the 2025-2026 school year.
