River City Science Academy (RCSA) recently celebrated the grand opening of its second campus on Beach Blvd. in the building that formerly housed the Florida Coastal School of Law. The new location will hold the school's sixth and seventh graders, while the eighth and ninth graders attend school at the Southside building.
Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals and Florida House Representative Jennifer Carroll joined the school's staff, students and families for the opening event and ribbon cutting ceremony.
During the ceremony, RSCA Principal Dr. Dogan Tozoglu thanked his dedicated teachers and students, as well as his valuable parents, for their commitment to the school, which has grown from 150 to more than 500 students over the past two years, and has become the first charter school in Duval County to receive a school grade of “A.” He also thanked Selcuk Buyuksarac, the founder of RSCA, and now the president of the board.
"Our goal at RCSA is very simple – to give the best education to our kids and provide them with a great cultural education," said Tozoglu.
Superintendent Pratt-Dannals commended the school and its board for their dedication to becoming a successful charter school.
"We are trying to create excellence everywhere, and our school district loves great charter schools," said Pratt-Dannals. "The commitment of River City Science Academy's Board, as well as the school's hiring of highly qualified leaders and teachers, strong curriculum, and ability to engage its parents and students, has this school on a path to success, and we look forward to our continued partnership."
Representative Carroll discussed the excitement she felt from the students as soon as she stepped inside RCSA.
"There is something exciting going on in this facility. You can't walk through the door and hallways without capturing some of that excitement from the students, and you know that they feel so loved, secure and comfortable in this environment," said Carroll. "Thank you to the children for their desire to learn and their involvement in this process."
RCSA teaches students in a multi-cultural approach, and students are offered both Spanish and Turkeish as a foreign language, so during the ceremony, students presented several songs in Turkish, Spanish and English.
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a catered dinner from Istanbul Grille.
For more pictures from the River City Science Academy Grand Opening, visit the
DCPS' flickr Photostream.
More 'Spotlight on Education' Articles
