HISTORY

History of River City Science Academy

History

River City Science Academy (RCSA) is a Tuition Free, Public, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) focus, Duval County Public Charter School located in Jacksonville. RCSA provides strong academics and college bound programs in addition to after school programs. RCSA is one of the successful charter schools in Florida. RCSA is recognized as High Performing Charter School by Florida Department of Education (FLDOE).

RCSA Opened Its Doors

2018 so RCSA was initially granted a five year charter contract from Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) in the fall of 2006. After finding a suitable building site, RCSA opened its doors on the corner of Southside and Beach Blvd in August 2007, serving grades 6th and 7th.

August 2007

July, 2009

A Grade

Following the 2008 – 2009 school year, River City Science Academy received an A-grade from the Florida Department of Education, becoming the first charter school in Duval county to receive the distinction.

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New Building

In 2009, we opened phase I of our new building at 7565 Beach Blvd to house our 6th and 7th graders. Our 8th and 9th graders remained in the original location until phase II was completed in August of 2010.

beach blvd rcsa

August, 2009

2009-2010

ADVANC-ED Accreditation

Standard PostRCSA was the first charter school in Duval County to receive an “A” grade for two consecutive years as well as making 100% AYP in DCPS charter school history. River City Science Academy earned accreditation from the SACS-CASI, ADVANC-ED accreditation in 2009-10 school year.

RCSA Elementary School

Standard PostIn 2010, RCSA applied and was awarded the approval to open RCSA Elementary to serve students in grades K – 5th. RCSA Elementary opened its doors in August of 2010 in the Southside building until phases III and IV could be completed at the new campus on Beach Blvd by August 2012. Elementary school moved into a separate location at 7450 Beach Blvd for the 2016-2017 school year.

August 2010

May 2011

Florida STEM & Health Expo

expoRCSA produced the 1st Annual Florida STEM & Health Expo, a science festival that has now grown to welcome over 5,000 people annually.

RCSA Innovation

innovation bRCSA formed its third campus, RCSA Innovation, in 2013. RCSA Innovation is currently located off of Phillips Hwy near Baymeadows Rd and serves grades K – 8.

August 2013

May 2013

RCSA Class of 2013

gradsIn May of 2013, RCSA graduated its first class of seniors.

High-Performing Status

River City Science Academy received high-performing status from the Florida Department of Education, a distinction granted to charter schools after consecutive years of high test scores and correct financial reporting.
grads

August 2014

2016

1st Place in Science Olympiad!

so elementary

In 2016, the RCSA Elementary Science Olympiad team placed first place for the entire state of Florida.

RCSA Mandarin

Audio Post Mixcloud

In 2014, RCSA received approval to open another campus in the Mandarin area. RCSA opened its Mandarin campus at 10911 Old St Augustine Rd for the 2016-2017 school year and serves students in grades K-8.

August, 2017

August, 2017

10 Year Anniversary.

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In 2017, RCSA celebrated it’s 10 year anniversary. RCSA has been able to receive great support from the Jacksonville community to allow us to grow and establish themselves as one of the top schools in the area.

Compete at the National Competition.

2018 so

In March of 2018, the RCSA Middle-High School competed at the State Science Olympiad Competition in Orlando and took home the gold! The team traveled to Colorado to compete at the National Competition and has begun a great tradition of success in Science Olympiad.

March, 2018

November, 2018

Best of Jax

2018 so

River City Science Academy is nominated and awarded Folio Weekly’s Best of Jax Award for Best Charter Elementary School, Best Charter Middle School, Best Charter High School in 2018. The following year, RCSA won Best Kindergarten, Best Elementary School, Best Middle School, Best Charter Elementary, Best Charter Middle, and Best Charter High School. 

RCSA Earns Five Star School Award

2018 so

In January 2019, RCSA Mandarin earned the Five Star School Award from the Florida Department of Education. This award recognizes schools for their community partnerships, family involvement, volunteerism, student community service, and school advisory committee.

January, 2019

April, 2019

SeaPerch

2018 so

RCSA Mandarin made history by placing 2nd place in the regional SeaPerch competition! The team then got to travel to Maryland to compete in the national competition for the first time. 

School of Excellence

2018 so

RCSA Elementary and RCSA Mandarin are deemed Florida Schools of Excellence for their test scores.

September, 2019

August, 2020

RCSA Intracoastal

2018 so

River City Science Academy receives approval to open their 5th campus, RCSA Intracoastal. The school opens in August 2021 and serves grades K – 8.

RCSA Southeast

2018 so

RCSA is approved to open their 6th campus, named RCSA Southeast. The school plans to open in August 2022.

August, 2020

January 2021

Certified State Schools of Character

2018 soRCSA Middle-High and RCSA Mandarin officially became a Florida School of Character! All RCSA Schools have worked diligently to meet the requirements set by Character.org 

RCSA Innovation gets an upgrade!

2018 so

RCSA Innovation is moving a block north to a new, upgraded campus with a state-of-the-art gymnasium and recreation area.

August, 2021

August, 2023

RCSA Southeast

2018 soRiver City Science Academy receives approval to open their 6th campus, RCSA Southeast. The school opens in August 2023 and serves grades K – 8.

Based on the success of the schools, both the middle-high school and elementary schools have renewed lengthy contracts with the Duval County School Board after completing an initial five-year contract. RCSA Middle High was renewed for an additional 10 years and RCSA Elementary for 15.
Currently, RCSA serves more than 4,500 students across six campuses with more than 550 employees.
RCSA continues to provide strong academics to prepare college-bound students in addition to exciting before and after school programs. RCSA is recognized as a high performing charter school by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) and was the first charter school in Duval County to earn an A grade.
Since its beginning, RCSA has worked to adapt to current educational trends by becoming increasingly data-driven, standards-based and financially secure, without losing sight of its innovative vision of the learning process. While much has changed at RCSA, the schools remain committed to learning and growing to provide the best educational experience for students and families.

 

RCSA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (K-5)

7450 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216

(904) 855-8010 ex.2


RCSA INNOVATION (K-8)

8160 Baymeadows Way W, Jacksonville, FL 32256

(904) 855-8010 ex.3

 

RCSA SOUTHEAST (K-8)

12397 Philips Hwy. Jacksonville, FL 32256

(904) 855-8010 ex.6

 

 

RCSA MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL (6-12)

7565 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216

(904) 855-8010 ex.1

RCSA MANDARIN (K-8)

10911 Old St Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32257

(904) 855-8010 ex.4

 

RCSA INTRACOASTAL (K-8)

2002 San Pablo Rd. S. Jacksonville, FL 32224

(904) 855-8010 ex.5

 

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