The 10 Most Popular High School in Jacksonville

Finding a great high school for your child to attend can be a daunting task. Not only are you looking for the best possible education and learning opportunities, but also a safe, supportive environment that is going to propel them through their future.

We’re here today to help you narrow down your search by introducing you ten of Jacksonville’s best high schools! Here’s what our experts have determined are the absolute cream of the crop when it comes to secondary education in Jacksonville—stay tuned for our exclusive list!

The Top 10 High Schools in Jacksonville

River City Science Academy Middle High Campus at Beach Blvd (6 – 12)

Address: 7565 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 3.6 (131)
Phone: +1 904-855-8010
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Thursday: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Friday: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed
Reviews:

My daughter has really been enjoying this school. The teachers are nice and she is learning a lot! -Debbie

✭✭✭✭ By Pampered Paws (3 months ago)

My son is a junior this year. He has attended RCSA since the 2011 school year and I am so grateful for this school and the decision that my husband and I made to place him here. All of the teachers are extremely dedicated and helpful, the administrators are passionate about my son’s success, and I cannot say enough kind words about the front office staff. It seems like a big family where everyone that works there has the mission to drive the students in a positive direction, to push each student to their full potential. The honors and AP courses that are offered, as well as the face-to-face home meetings with administrators each year to assess goals for my son are something that I highly doubt is found at traditional Duval County schools. One more year and I’ll be excited for my son but sad to lose a part of my family.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Tina Schrenk (a year ago)

their is always drama or a fight happening.teachers care more about “wearing your hoodie” than actually teaching you. So understaffed we had to get two whole teachers in my grade and you can tell they are very new to their job. my sister goes here as well and she was TOUCHED INAPPROPRIATELY MULTIPLE TIMES!/! And the school only gave put the consequence once. horrible school and it only middle school⁉️

✭ By Luke Rosales (8 months ago)

This is my son’s first year with RCSA and I can say, I will not be moving him!! With COVID-19 becoming a part of our everyday life, RCSA did a wonderful job in following the CDC guidelines. They were so diligent in their response to COVID -19 it eased my fear of my child going into the building. The online learning environment was executed very well and the teachers were sure to provide a way for you to contact them with any issues. I have friendss that have children that were enrolled in other schools and there were so many issues. I never experienced any issues with RCSA online schooling.
Aside from the that the teachers as well as administration are extremely helpful! They are sure to get back to you quickly and provide you with all of the information that you will need for whatever your concern is.
Anytime I have needed assistance with anything I was able to email, chat or call. I never received the “run around” or experienced being ” pushed off” as I have with other schools.
I really feel that this school will help set my son up for a great future. He’s learning so much and he is being challenged. This is by far the best decision I made for my son’s education thus far.

✭✭✭✭✭ By S. L Ward (a year ago)

My daughter is in her first year of attending RCSA and is in the 8th grade. My wife and I have been extremely pleased with the entire experience including the quality of the teachers, the leadership provided by the administration, and the opportunities for our daughter to participate in advanced classes such as honors biology and geometry. The level of communication from the teachers as well as the school is excellent with weekly RCSA newsletters and weekly progress reports regarding our daughters academic progress. Most importantly we value the culture that is deeply embedded within and throughout the entire RCSA community. We are thankful to have found RCSA and looking forward to our daughter transitioning into the RCSA high school next year!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Bob Rowe (a year ago)

Atlantic Coast High School

Address: 9735 R G Skinner Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32256, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.2 (45)
Phone: +1 904-538-5120
Opening hours:

Monday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Thursday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Friday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed
Reviews:

My daughter has attended this school for 3 years now. She has amazing teachers, like Ms. Scruffy, Mr. Tillam, and Mrs. Sylvestris. Their chorus is phenomenal, which helps build her confidence in public performance settings, and many other levels. I am so glad I requested a special transfer to have her enrolled here instead of Wolfson (which is much closer to where we live). My children are my world, and this school feels the same about their children!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Tiffany Barfield (4 years ago)

I attended this school for half of my junior year after transferring from Englewood and will be attending for my senior year. Atlantic Coast has a fresh, modern atmosphere and compassionate teachers. As an honors student with high-functioning autism and an IEP, I have found the staff very easy to talk to and work with. The teachers helped me adjust to AC in my first few months there and things have been running smoothly since then. The school’s community is very diverse overall, and if you want your child to feel welcome among several students, I would highly reccomend Atlantic Coast.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Ethan Ball (5 years ago)

Atlantic Coast High School is a great place for students to receive a great education and at the same time experience a diverse options of choices for future. The athletic programs are second to none in this city …not only winners in a lot of sports but run with integrity. Great job .

✭✭✭✭✭ By James Dooley (4 years ago)

It is easy for someone to say that school is sucks and bad and all and blame the teacher and school. Maybe you weren’t good enough for it also. My experience with this school is very outstanding so far and my children’s seems to enjoy the environment a lot. There good and bad to every school but compare to other school this is far better. Keep up the good work ACHS

✭✭✭✭✭ By Ambreen Sanchez (8 years ago)

LOVELY campus at this school. Very diverse student body, and from what I can tell, so is the staff. Front office staff isn’t as attentive to visitors as one would expect… not even the students, and especially not for non-parents. They could use some adjustments here, but … good experience overall.

✭✭✭✭ By D Nicole Williams (6 years ago)

Sandalwood High School

Address: 2750 John Promenade Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4 (41)
Phone: +1 904-646-5100
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: 7:15 AM – 2:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:15 AM – 2:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:15 AM – 2:00 PM

Thursday: 7:15 AM – 2:00 PM

Friday: 7:15 AM – 2:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed
Reviews:

The administration here gets it. They do their very best to make the school a place where students have the best opportunities possible. There also are multiple programs available for students and parents who want to o beyond the bare minimum — AVID, Early College, Academy of Information Technology, JROTC, etc. I’ve taught here a total of four years since 2005 and I can honestly say the school has become much better over the years, probably one of the top three neighborhood high schools in Duval County.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Mike Khalil (8 years ago)

Terrific faculty who pull together for the welfare of the students. Diverse student population is a good microcosm experience for all. Provides broad spectrum of instruction.

✭✭✭✭ By Rose Bailey (6 years ago)

That skool was all ur street values and how to survive 2005 grad. Rite here and my street cred. is tight from this skool and make lotz of peepz to cover my blok for Lee904 《Out b jeezy》

✭✭✭ By Chris Lee (5 years ago)

Best high school in Jacksonville! It was my best 4 years of school hands down! Class of 2010!

✭✭✭✭✭ By 1990Ravens (4 years ago)

one starers are hormonal teenagers. excelling school, great athletics and programs. AVID, JROTC, IT program.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Roblox Game Surfer (6 years ago)

Mandarin High School

Address: 4831 Greenland Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32258, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 3.4 (37)
Phone: +1 904-260-3911
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: 7:15 AM – 2:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:15 AM – 2:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:15 AM – 2:00 PM

Thursday: 7:15 AM – 2:00 PM

Friday: 7:15 AM – 2:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed
Reviews:

My children have really felt privileged to attend mandarin High and have Mustang Pride. I would recommend it to anyone in Jacksonville area, and others that attend their magnet program. Gratefully, in spite of poor district and school administration talent, the High School has enough conscientious educators who do not use the “job for life” as a way of doing inferior work and that is what makes the school great. These are the heroes of one of the greatest schools in Jacksonville.. The only reason I will not give the school a 5 star is because they need to better define what they mean by “partnering with parents.” It is a phrase used as loosely as the word “love,” Whatever it means, if it means anything useful, it is diluted in practice. If they really wanted to partner with us they would first, do what a teacher should do: reach out to parents beyond the syllabus we sign, and secondly not wait until a problem gets too big to correct in time for quarterly grades. Sorry, Progress Reports are useless if Teachers have NOT graded ALL the assignments, making it’s content not progressive. Focus website does not work as it is plagued by the symptom of delayed grading. Do not wait until we get bad news to ask us to “partner” with them. Any worthy educator know the students that need early advice to Parents before any issue gets out of hand. Partners do not wait until bad things appear to talk to each other, and then blame everyone but themselves for being silent. When they blame me and my student I am disgusted when I think how, if we had known, we could have partnered early.

✭✭✭✭ By Jonathan Musgrave (5 years ago)

This school is the absolute worst. I transferred here my senior year from North Carolina and they treat the students here like they are inmates in prison. The school even looks like a prison. I was about 10 minutes late to school ONE TIME & they threatened to take my parking pass. This school is just ridiculous. Not to mention the dress code & the rules with the ID’s. I understand the use of the ID’s but they enforce the rules for them extremely to hard. The dress code is absolutely ridiculous. I got written up & got in school suspension for having 1 hole in my jeans. Also, the teachers do not care about the students here. They couldn’t care less about how you do in your classes & admin is the same way. Throughout the whole year there was one teacher that I actually didn’t hate. The principal is like 80 years old & acts like she runs the world.

✭ By Haley Gursky (5 years ago)

Mandarin High is a terrible school there is a lack of communication between the students that are doing bad and the teachers and counselors. Mandarin’s Security sucks because people always out smoking on campus and ditching school. The guidance counselors only truly help kids ine AICE or AVID or any honor student and they do not really care about the standard students. Only a handful of teachers care about you and your grade. This school is definitely not an “A” School its more of a C or D school. I’ve been there for 2 years and my experience was terrible. I recommend not sending your child to Mandarin High trust me it’ll mess them up

✭ By Samantha Castillo (6 years ago)

I go to Mandarin high its my second year here and there are some fights but mostly a safe school. All the kids there think about is mainly sex. Who’s a virgin and whatnot. There is a lot of PDA but what school doesn’t have that? Staff are nice. I am in the medical academy and they challenge you, and thats what i like about the med academy. The police officers are very cool and friendly. The teachers are nice. Don’t try dating there though you will be harassed mainly. Otherwise it is a pretty good school.

✭✭✭✭ By Jax Brethren (9 years ago)

Pathetic excuse for a school, the main focus is on sports. The administration is corrupt and abusive. Teachers are poorly trained, uninspiring, unmotivated and often slow. The Algebra program in 2014 was horribly flawed and unprepared causing hundreds of students to forcibly pass despite not knowing the course. Spent 3 years there after failing to pass 11th grade due to the amount of math classes i had to deal with, a snowball effect due to my 9th grade 2014 year. Dropped out and finishing a quality education online. Many dark hallways promoting sexual behavior, bathrooms are horribly pathetic, lacked of any sanitation. Terrible in the winter due to its outdoor design. And an utterly moronic principal who can’t follow drills correctly putting students in danger. Enough cannot be said about the atrocities of this schools existence.

✭ By BloodIn Wine (5 years ago)

Englewood High School

Address: 4412 Barnes Rd S, Jacksonville, FL 32207, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 3.5 (35)
Phone: +1 904-739-5212
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: 7:15 AM – 2:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:15 AM – 2:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:15 AM – 2:00 PM

Thursday: 7:15 AM – 2:00 PM

Friday: 7:15 AM – 2:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed
Reviews:

I went to this school at the end of my junior year and at the beginning of my senior year. I absolutely don’t understand how back in Yulee High School they make kids stay in the cafeteria for lunch, but in one of the biggest cities in the USA with a very high crime rate, they allow kids to go about during lunch. Not wise decision making. Overall though, decent school with a good faculty. Terrible students from my own personal experience; for the most part at least.

✭✭✭ By Travis Hyers (9 years ago)

It’s an alright school.
Some of the teachers there are pretty cool too; excellent at doing their job.
Though there’s a lot of racism, and a few instructors who don’t even bother to help the student, when they’re having troubles understanding the assignment. It happened to a friend of mine, and it’s a bit upsetting to hear that they’ve had to feel pressured about finishing extra assignments, they don’t even get a grade for.

✭✭ By Mason Tran (5 years ago)

I love this school….my son is excelling. Football program rocks….R0TC program is wonderful too. He is happy here and stays involved in the school activity’s. The neighborhood surrounding it is an older established single family homes…a lot of good people live there.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Gloria Gay-Williams (9 years ago)

I started coming here in 9th grade, and so far I think it’s an OK school. Some arguments and fights pop up every once in a while, and some of the teachers are a bit too strict for some people. However, the ones that are usually enjoy seeing their students succeed and will do anything to help them. Heck, the art teacher doesn’t just teach art — he gets right into it!

When you get past the bothersome students and the chaos that sometimes occurs, Englewood can be a very interesting place to learn.

✭✭✭ By Ethan Ball (6 years ago)

Terrible school. The students don’t take their grades seriously and the teaching staff couldn’t care less about it. Don’t bother sending your child here. The negative influence of the students will just worsen them. There is always some drama and fighting that happens at the school. I graduated in 2014 and couldn’t be more thankful to get out of such a terrible place.

✭ By Random L (6 years ago)

Bishop Kenny High School

Address: 1055 Kingman Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.4 (32)

Paxon School for Advanced Studies

Address: 3239 Norman E Thagard Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32254, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4 (32)

Riverside High School

Address: 1200 McDuff Ave S, Jacksonville, FL 32205, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4 (32)

Terry Parker Sr High School

Address: 7301 Parker School Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32211, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 3.9 (32)

William Raines Senior High

Address: 3663 Raines Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32209, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.5 (28)

Thank you for reading! We hope this list helps you find the best high schools in Jacksonville. If you have any additional information, please leave a comment below!