Duval County Public Schools

Overview of Programs

Learn more about AP Capstone, AICE, Early College, and IB by watching the informational presentation below from last school year. (The presentation is 24 minutes in length.) The application process for the 2023-2024 school year is closed. Information for the 2024-2025 application process will be available in October.

2023-2024 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
• 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 2024-2025 High School Acceleration Program application may be completed through the Focus Parent Portal Account beginning Friday, December 1, 2023 at 8:00 AM and will close January 18, 2024. Information for the 2024-2025 application process will be available in October.  

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 Grade 7 (or Grade 8 if unavailable), 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.

Important Dates 

Information for the 2024-2025 application process will be available in October.   

• Friday, December 1, 2023: HSAP application opens at 8:00 AM in the Focus Parent Portal
• Thursday, January 18, 2024:  HSAP application closes 
• February 12, 2024: Decision notifications will be sent to the email address associated with the Focus Parent Portal Account used to complete the application

Evaluation Criteria for the 2024-2025 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 Achieve 3000
• be proficient in Math based on the Grade 7 FAST/PM3, Grade 7 PMA2 or PMA3
• 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. 

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.

Thank you for considering a High School Acceleration Program!

We wish you and your child a successful educational journey.