Meeting Students "in the Middle" of an Important Transition
They're not children, but they're not yet young adults. Welcome to middle school, a critical time when students can't help but feel like they're "in the middle" of a series of major academic, social, and emotional transitions. The good news? Duval County Public Schools has a proven record of supporting and educating middle school students as they navigate this exciting time.
Just like you, we want what's best for your students. We invite you to make Duval County Public Schools your child's destination for a dynamic, life-changing middle school experience!
Why Middle Schools in Duval County?
When you consider the size of our district, the diversity of our programs, and the experience of our educators, you'll quickly find that our school district offers an unmatched experience for middle school students. And because we work with a "whole child" educational philosophy, we strive to see growth in all areas of our students' lives.
Academic Excellence
Our dedicated teachers, well-rounded curriculum, and high standards prepare students for the rigors of high school, college, and beyond.
High School Algebra
Middle school students can complete high school algebra in seventh or eighth grade, freeing their high school years for college-level foundations such as geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and calculus.
Early College Programs
Pre-early college courses are offered in our middle schools, creating a natural path to the tuition-free college credits and college degrees they can earn in high school.
Diverse Learning Opportunities
Our schools are home to many specialized programs such as STEM, visual and performing arts, pre-early college, and career and technical education.
Athletics, Electives, & Activities
A variety of elective courses, clubs, after-school activities, and athletics programs provide opportunity for gaining new skills and exploring interests.
Social and Emotional Growth
We create an environment in which our students can grow socially and emotionally, learning skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-awareness.
We Get Middle School Students Ready for High School
Our middle school curriculum provides alignment and continuity with what's being taught in our high schools. Whether they go on to participate in high school acceleration programs or attend magnet schools, students will receive the foundation they need to progress academically.
We Embed Career Exploration and Soft Skills into Our Curriculum
Middle school is a time when students begin to develop a vision for their future. It's why we provide opportunities to explore careers and earn certifications before getting to high school.
In the eighth grade, students will enter our unique Duval Ready program, which includes a formal exploration into the career world and workforce skills such as:
Critical thinking
Communication
Collaboration
Team building
Problem-solving
Professionalism
We Teach to Our Students' Unique Needs
Middle schools in Duval County understand that not every child learns the same. Our schools and teachers are dedicated to working with students of diverse learning backgrounds, including students with disabilities, English Language Learners, gifted students, and more.
We Help Middle School Students Adjust to New Changes
We want to make your child's transition to middle school as easy as possible. We regularly host orientations, school tours, meet-and-greets, and other opportunities to help incoming students connect with their new school. To learn more and to get a schedule, contact your child's prospective middle school.
We Provide Important Interventions and Support
We offer the following supports to help bolster students' social and emotional needs:
Non-clinical school counseling services (such as grief support, coping skills, and anger management)
Free mental health counseling through Full Service Schools
Established protocols to report alleged acts of bullying
"Wellness Wednesdays," or monthly instruction that supports mental and emotional health
Several of our schools also offer GROW clubs, which are student-led organizations designed to help promote emotional and mental wellness.
We Can Help You Choose the Right Middle School
Each of our middle schools is unique. Students can apply to attend the school best suited to their interests, whether that's their neighborhood school or a school with a magnet theme or program. We help facilitate this through a special application process. Contact the Office of School Choice to learn more.
What Our Students Are Learning
We teach middle school students with the understanding that they are in the midst of significant academic, developmental, and cognitive changes. While we focus on delivering high-quality education aligning with the Florida Department of Education's Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (BEST) Standards, we also embed our day-to-day with opportunities for personal growth and new challenges.
Here's a closer look at some of the major academic subjects and concepts being taught in middle schools in Duval County:
We Offer Athletics and Arts for Middle School Students
Middle School Athletics
Middle school is an exciting time for students to transition into interscholastic sports. Eligible middle school students can try out for and participate in a variety of individual and team sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, swimming, track and field, and more. Our Duval County Middle School Conference additionally creates a pathway for athletes to compete for city championship titles.
Fine Arts
The arts are a vital component of a high-quality middle school education. Middle school allows students to explore more complex forms of artistic expression through visual arts, music, electives, and extracurricular activities such as theater, dance, and band. Students seeking more focused, specialized studies can also apply to visual and performing arts middle schools through the School Choice process.
Middle School Safety and Security Measures
