THE 2ND ANNUAL CTE CAREER ACADEMY SHOWCASE – You're invited to this free community event where Duval’s educators and students shine! Highlighting all 67 of the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Academies and programs, this event offers students and teachers a platform to share their innovative work with families and the broader community. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with academy staff and students, explore the unique programs offered across the district, and receive expert guidance from CTE staff on navigating the application process. No advanced registration is required. This event takes place Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Adam W. Herbert University Center at the University of North Florida. The address is 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224
Please read this entire message before signing up!
Date: Wednesday, October 29
Start Time: 2:00 p.m.
Deadline to Sign up: Friday, October 24
Be on Time: Testing begins promptly at 2:00 p.m. Late arrivals will not be admitted.
Cell Phones: All cell phones must be turned off and stored away during testing. Any use of a cell phone will result in your test being invalidated, and you will not be eligible to retake the PERT this school year.
Testing Duration: You have the entire afternoon to complete the any part of the test but must finish by 5:00 PM.
Transportation: Ensure you have reliable transportation arranged.
What to Bring: Bring a fully charged, school-issued laptop. Personal laptops, iPads, or tablets are not permitted.
No Hoodies: There are no hoodies permitted to be worn during PERT Testing for Test Security. Please make sure you are in dress code under your hoodie on Test Day.
No Show Fee: If you sign up to take PERT, you must show up. Failure to email Ms. Hozey by Monday, October 27 at 10 a.m. to cancel your PERT Registration will result in your student account being charged $20.
PERT is not a graduation requirement. However, it is one of several ways students can qualify for Senior Leave and Dual Enrollment opportunities. The Scores needed are PERT Reading – 106, PERT Writing – 103, and PERT Math – 114
In addition to the PERT, students may meet eligibility criteria through the following standardized tests:
SAT
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing – 490
Math – 420
ACT
Average of Reading and English – 18
Math – 16
CLT (Classic Learning Test)
Sum of Verbal Reasoning and Grammar/Writing – 39
Quantitative Reasoning – 14
There will be additional opportunities this school year to take PERT. For further information or assistance, please contact the school counseling office.
Sign up here for PERT on October 29, 2025.
October 2025 Scholarship Updates (Part 2)
The Scholarship Page (Find scholarships for free)
Unigo (Over 3.6 million scholarships and grants)
October 2025 Scholarship Updates (Part 1)
Bold.org (Scholarship search)
Cirkled In (Scholarship search)
Get Schooled (Scholarship search engine)
Good Call (College & University Scholarship Database)
International Scholarships & Financial Aid (international scholarships and grants)
Niche (Find college scholarships)
Peterson's (Scholarships and grants)
Raise.Me (Earn micro-scholarships to colleges for achievements in high school)
ScholarMe (Paying for college made easy)
Join us for Chick-fil-a on October 1st!
Before Ray Rally starting at 2:30pm
If you stay after school, you can buy a chick-fil-a meal deal that includes a sandwich, chips, and a drink for $9.
Pay via AC Boosters cashapp.
Ray Rally begins at 3:30pm.
Dress Code for Homecoming at Atlantic Coast
Please remember that the dance is semi-formal. The dress code is as follows:
Shirts must have a collar and a tie is preferred
NO jeans
NO shorts (including athletic shorts)
NO house shoes, crocs, flip flips, gym/tennis shoes
NO overly revealing dresses allowed
Sneakers in good condition will be allowed
Remember to bring your student ID to enter the dance.
Theme: Dancing in the Moonlight
Date/Time: October 4th, 7pm-10pm
Hello Stingray Nation Class of 2026!
First, thank you to all of you who were able to join us last week at our fall senior parent meeting. Below is a quick recap of the key information shared during our meeting.
Central Information Hub All important updates, deadlines, and announcements for our seniors will be posted on the Senior Update page. Bookmark it now and check often.
Communication Is Critical We will reach out via Rooms in the DCPS App, phone calls, and emails. If you do not have the DCPS App on your phone, download it and log in to Rooms. Please verify that your contact information (phone and email) is current in the Parent Portal and FOCUS. If your information changes, contact the main office immediately to ensure you receive all updates.
Senior-Specific Events & Tasks We encourage students to begin taking care of these soon to avoid last-minute stress. There are more items listed on the senior update page.
Cap & Gown Ordering Deadline to order is December 2025. Orders can be placed online at HJJax.com.
Senior Bundle The last day or purchase the senior bundle is October 1st!
Senior Photos (via Cady) To be included in the yearbook you must take your photo with Cady by January 1st.
Graduation Details
Date: To Be Announced
Location: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville, FL
Check out the senior update page for details regarding dress code, tickets, and more.
Graduation Ticket Bonus Opportunity! Sign up for PTSA by October 1st and receive two (2) bonus tickets to graduation. Email your receipt to Ms. Solomon at solomonr1@duvalschools.org (include your students name) for credit.
Again: keeping your contact info up to date ensures you don’t miss critical updates as we make our way towards graduation in May/June.
If you or your student have questions about anything above, or if something wasn’t clear last night, feel free to connect with the appropriate staff listed on the senior update page.
Homecoming Week! | September 29 - October 4
Dancing in the Moonlight
Dress Up Themes:
Monday: Space Jam - Jersey day
Tuesday: Under the Stars - PJ day
Wednesday: Clone Wars - Twin day
Thursday: AstroLOLgy - Meme day
Friday: Total Eclipse - Black out
Game Theme: Minion Out! Dress up like a minion. Kick-off at 6:30pm. Tickets on GoFan.
Homecoming Dance
Saturday, October 4th
7pm - 10pm
Purchase tickets at dcps.schoolcashonline.com until Friday, October 3rd at Noon.
All guest forms are due by Friday, September 26th, to Mrs. Leon-Williams in room 212.
You must have your student ID with you to enter the dance!
Need Community Service Hours?
Come help with out flapjack fundraiser!
We need greeters, servers, and bussers to help with our community event on October 25th, 8-10am, at Applebee's at 14560 Old St. Augustine Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32258
Click HERE to sign up!
Volunteers must be 16 and buy a ticket for breakfast on GoFan
ACHS Homecoming information is available in your DCPS student email. Look for an email dated 9-18-2025 for the most recent information!
Coast to Coast College Tour
Please join us for an evening information program with admission representatives from
Dartmouth College
Northwestern University
Princeton University
University of Southern California
Vanderbilt University
Register for a program near you: www.coasttocoasttour.org
Homecoming Court 2025
If you are interested in running for homecoming court, please pick up an application in room 212!
Applications are due by this Friday, September 19th, at 1:45pm.
Preparing for the December SAT test?
7 weeks of tutoring
(with 8 overall weeks in the schedule)
Start Date: Week of 10/13
Off the week of Thanksgiving
Virtual on Zoom
To sign up email: sberry@airstreamventures.com
Student Flu Clinic
Permission forms going home on September 11th through ELA classes.
Clinic is on September 23rd.
Forms can be returned to the media center.
The deadline to return forms is September 19th.
The Center One Foundation and Senator Tracie Davis Presents:
The 7th Annual HBCU Legacy College Fair
September 20th, 2025
Jessie Ball duPont Center (40 E. Adams St. Jacksonville, FL. 32202)
Sponsors:
VyStar Credit Union
Florida Blue
A.L Lewis Black Opportunity and Impact Fund
Po'up!
Kids Hope Alliance
My Village Project
Wealth Watchers
The Fiorentino Group
The Pillars Club
Register by scanning the QR code in the attached image.
Christ Sanctuary Ministries, Inc. Education and Scholarship Workshop
With guest: Scholarship Committee Zeta Phi Deta Soroity, Inc. Beta Alpha Zeta Chapter
September 21, 2025
3:00 PM ET via zoom
Meeting ID: 815 4868 9300
Join this workshop for:
scholarship writing tips from applying to completion
essay writing tips
resume building
tips on preparing for college
mentor opportunities
over 40 scholarships available
DOOR PRIZES!
For more information, call or text Dr. Herlena Washington at 904-382-5627
September 2025 Scholarship Updates (Part 1)
Bold.org (Scholarship search)
Cirkled In (Scholarship search)
Get Schooled (Scholarship search engine)
Good Call (College & University Scholarship Database)
International Scholarships & Financial Aid (international scholarships and grants)
Niche (Find college scholarships)
Peterson's (Scholarships and grants)
Raise.Me (Earn micro-scholarships to colleges for achievements in high school)
ScholarMe (Paying for college made easy)
The Scholarship Page (Find scholarships for free)
FAMU Fall Preview
Saturday, 09.27.25
Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
Tickets $95
Student ticket includes: breakfast, lunch, t-shirt, game day ticket
Scan the QR code for more info.
Mandatory parent meeting: Monday, 09.22.25 at 7:00 pm
Location: 2050 Art Museum Dr. Building 4800 Suite 200. Jacksonville, FL. 32207
Email: JRELee.Scholars@gmail.com
Hosted by: J.R.E. Lee Jacksonville Alumni Chapter FAMU National Alumni Association
