ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The St. Johns County School District held the first of two town halls Tuesday to address updating attendance zones to accommodate two new K–8 schools set to open in the 2026–27 school year.
During these town halls, the district is bringing together School Board members, staff, and the public to answer questions and hear feedback.
The schools -- “QQ,” proposed for Courtney Vista Drive in the Silverleaf area, and “RR,” proposed for Conservation Trail in Nocatee -- are currently under construction.
The district needs the new schools to keep up with the county’s rapid growth. According to 2024 data, the population of St. Johns County has increased by more than 69,000 over the past five years and is projected to grow by another 66,000 in the next five.
Officials listed the current schools expected to be affected by the rezoning when the new schools are complete:
- Wards Creek Elementary
- Liberty Pines Academy
- Mill Creek Academy
- Pine Island Academy
- Trout Creek Academy
- Pacetti Bay Middle School
MORE: Attendance Zoning Information from St. Johns County School District | Town Hall presentation for St. Johns County parents
Parents raised concerns about how boundary changes would affect students’ commutes and daily routines.
One parent from the Settlers Landing community told News4JAX the rezoning would change how his children get to school.
“We live in the Settlers Landing community, so to rezone that when there’s a gateway that we moved into that area that showcased that academy path directly to that school — that means my kids are no longer using bicycles, walking or taking their scooters to the school. So it affects us greatly, especially with the two young kids," said Daniel McDade, whose children attend Pine Island Academy.
A mother with students at Pine Island Academy also shared her concerns about how this could affect her children — especially since they’ve been rezoned before.
“My youngest child, I am not so concerned for him because he is making friends; he is only in the first grade. However, my older child is a 5th grader, so next year he would be a rising sixth grader,” said Margo Garrett. “It would be a huge impact for him socially and emotionally since this would be his third move.”
The district will hold a second town hall on the rezoning this Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Tocoi Creek High School auditorium.
Officials say the same presentation given at Tuesday’s meeting will be shown there; community members are encouraged to attend and ask questions.