Duval County Public Schools Welcomes Atlantic Coast High School
New high school is first built in the county since 1990
Jacksonville, FL – Duval County School Board members, administrators and city leaders today joined students and community members for a celebration marking the grand opening of Atlantic Coast High School, #268.
Located at 9735 R.G. Skinner Parkway near Baymeadows and 9A, Atlantic Coast is the district’s first new high school since 1990, when both Mandarin and First Coast opened.
"It is a very exciting time for our district and county to open our first new high school in more than two decades,” said Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals. “This state-of-the-art facility provides our students with outstanding resources and access to a learning environment that will help promote their academic achievement and success within our global society.”
Constructed by WG Mills, Inc. and designed by SchenkelShultz Architecture, Atlantic Coast is a 302,981 square-foot facility that will accommodate more than 2,300 students. The school was designed around the concept of Small Learning Communities of 150 students each, featuring highly flexible classrooms integrated with extended learning areas to encourage team teaching and project-based cooperative learning.
The new facility also incorporates high-performance design elements such as occupant sensors for lighting control to reduce overall energy use, an energy efficient chilled water HVAC system, and a high-albedo roof to increase reflectance and reduce heat absorption. Other features include a fully secured perimeter and controlled single point of entry during school hours, a landscaped central courtyard, and decentralized administration for greater supervision and control.
The school provides full athletic facilities including a 1,600-seat gym, competition grade track, six tournament tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, and a football stadium for more than 2,500 spectators. Also part of the campus is a state-of-the-art performing arts center, a library/media center, and indoor and outdoor food service seating for 750 students.
Atlantic Coast opens with students in grades 9 through 11, providing seniors with the opportunity to complete their final year at their current school. Debra Lynch, formerly the principal of Stanton College Preparatory, will lead the school.
“I have spent the last year planning in anticipation of welcoming students into the first new high school to open in our district in 20 years. Most importantly, I have assembled a strong team of educators who are committed to relationship building among themselves and with their students to facilitate student learning in a positive Small Learning Community environment,” said Lynch. “The only essential piece currently missing from this awesome environment is the students. We cannot wait to welcome them on August 23 to the start of something great!”
Atlantic Coast High School will alleviate some overcrowding at Wolfson, Sandalwood, Englewood and Mandarin high schools, and service incoming freshmen from Twin Lakes and Kernan middle schools. The school’s boundaries were determined and proposed through a community working group process.
School Board Vice Chairwoman Nancy Broner, who will be the School Board representative for Atlantic Coast and also represents nearby Sandalwood and Fletcher, has been involved in the planning process for the high school since she was elected in November 2002.
She and former City Council Member Art Graham hosted several community meetings to give the public an opportunity to be involved. During the meetings, members of the community discussed the design and location of the new high school, as well as re-zoning and boundary issues.
"It has been gratifying to see how the local community and our district came together to build a school that will serve the students in this growing area of Jacksonville,” said Broner. “We are excited to start a tradition of excellence at Atlantic Coast High School."
The school's mascot is the stingray and its colors are black, white and burnt orange.
Duval County Public Schools, the nation's 21st largest school district, operates 166 schools and serves approximately 123,000 students. The school district is committed to providing high quality educational opportunities that will inspire all students to acquire and use the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a global economy, and culturally diverse world.
More DCPS News
