Duval County Public Schools

Overview of Programs

Learn more about AP Capstone, AICE, Early College, and IB by watching the informational presentation below. (The presentation is 24 minutes in length.) 

2025-2026 HSAP Overview and Application Information Presentation

Questions

If you have questions about any HSAP Program, you may email HSAP@duvalschools.org. If you have questions regarding the application process, you may email School_Choice@duvalschools.org. We are happy to answer your questions by email or arrange a time to speak with you virtually or by phone.

Questions and Answer Information Sessions

Q & A Information Sessions will be held in October for students:

• enrolled in or already completed Algebra I;
• on grade level for reading; and
• on grade level for math.

Students that meet the above requirements for consideration will be sent an email invitation with a specific time to attend the Q & A Information Session based on the middle school in which the student attends. If the students’ parent/guardian has an email address listed in Focus, they will also be sent an invitation to attend along with a meeting link. These sessions are 45 minutes.

Application Window

The 2025-2026 High School Acceleration Program application may be completed through the Focus Parent Portal Account beginning Sunday, December 1, 2024 and will close Thursday, January 16, 2025.

Parents that do not have a Focus Parent Portal Account may create an account by visiting Technology Services and then follow the directions for creating an account. Parents will use their email address and create their own password. Once an account has been created, parents will need to visit their student's middle school within 21 days and present ID for the middle school to approve their Focus Parent Portal account or provide their ID electronically to a school administrator and request approval.

Parents that have forgotten their password, have trouble creating a new Focus Parent Portal Account, or experience technical issues may contact the Help Desk (904) 348-5200 or email pga_support@duvalschools.org. The Help Desk is available Monday – Friday from 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM and on Weekends from 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

Once the application opens, parents may access the application by logging into their Focus Parent Portal Account. On the left-hand side select your Grade 8 child. Then select "High School Acceleration Programs Application."

Parents/Guardians should read the application carefully. Review the pre-populated information and verify that their address is correct in Focus. If the address is incorrect, parents may correct the address through their child’s current middle school by providing two proofs of address in person or via email to a school administrator. Address changes cannot be made at the District office.

If your child is not currently enrolled in a Duval County Public School OR is without test scores and/or grades in the Duval County Public School system (Focus), you must provide official copies of your child’s standardized test score reports from Spring Grade 7, Final Grade 7 Report Card, and Grade 8 Report Card showing Quarter 1 and 2 grades at the time of application submission. Applications missing information will not be processed. If accepted, non-DCPS students must provide an official transcript once final grades have been posted for the school year.

On the application, parents may make up to two (2) choice selections; however, they may choose to make one (1) selection only. Parents should be sure that if a second selection is made, it is a selection that both the parent and their child will be happy with should they be offered a seat.

For assistance with completing the High School Acceleration Programs Application, please contact the Office of School Choice at School_Choice@duvalschools.org or visit them at 4037 Boulevard Center Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207, First Floor.

Important Dates 

Information for the 2025-2026 application process will be available in October.   

• Sunday, December 1, 2024: HSAP application opens at 8:00 AM in the Focus Parent Portal
• Thursday, January 16, 2025: HSAP application closes 
• Friday, February 14, 2025: Decision notifications will be sent to the email address associated with the Focus Parent Portal Account used to complete the application
• Friday, February 21, 2025: Legal Parents/Guardians wishing to cancel their child's HSAP seat should email HSAP@duvalschools.org by this date

The Late HSAP application will be available through the Parent Focus Portal beginning Friday, March 14, 2025. Please see the late application windows below.

Evaluation Criteria for the 2025-2026 School Year

To be considered for an acceleration program students must meet all of the following criteria. Applicants must 

• be proficient in Reading based on the Grade 7 FAST/PM3,  Grade 7 PMA2/PMA3, OR Grade 7 Spring Exact Path;  
• be proficient in Math based on the Grade 7 FAST/PM3, Grade 7 PMA2/PMA3; OR Grade 7 Spring Exact Path;
• be enrolled in or have already completed Algebra I; and 
• earn a minimum of 70 points.

Not meeting one of these criteria automatically makes a student ineligible to be considered for an acceleration program. For each program, all eligible applicants will be scored based on the point system below, ranked from 100 points down to 70 points, and offered seats in that order until seats are filled. For nondedicated magnet schools, zoned students will be placed first. 

Note: If a student is taking a course virtually, it is the parent/guardian's responsibility to upload proof of enrollment to the application. If a student transferred to DCPS last school year or this school year, the parent/guardian should upload all transfer records to the application.

Point System

• 0-36 points – Grade 7 Core Academic Final Grades (English, Math, Science, and Social Studies)
• A = 9 pts, B = 6 pts, C = 3 pts
• 0-34 points – Grade 8 Core Academic Grades (Quarter 1 & 2 English, Math, Science, and Social Studies)
• A = 4.25 pts, B = 3.25 pts, C = 2.25 pts
• 0-30 points – Standardize Test Scores in both Reading and Math

Transportation

Transportation for students attending an Acceleration Program outside of their attendance area school shall be the responsibility of the student’s parent/guardian. All questions regarding transportation should be directed to the Transportation Department at (904) 858-6200. Transportation is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM until 4:30 PM.

Seat Availability  

Thank you for considering a High School Acceleration Program!

We wish you and your child a successful educational journey.