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).
August 2007
RCSA Opened Its Doors
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.
August, 2009
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.
August, 2009
2009-2010
ADVANC-ED Accreditation
RCSA 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.
August 2010
RCSA Elementary School
In 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
RCSA produced the 1st Annual Florida STEM & Health Expo, a science festival that has now grown to welcome over 5,000 people annually.
August 2013
RCSA Innovation
RCSA 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
In May of 2013, RCSA graduated its first class of seniors.
August 2014
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.
August 2014
2016
1st Place in Science Olympiad!
In 2016, the RCSA Elementary Science Olympiad team placed first place for the entire state of Florida.
August, 2017
RCSA Mandarin
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.
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.
March, 2018
Compete at the National Competition.
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
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.
January, 2019
RCSA Earns Five Star School Award
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
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.
September, 2019
School of Excellence
RCSA Elementary and RCSA Mandarin are deemed Florida Schools of Excellence for their test scores.
September, 2019
August, 2020
RCSA Intracoastal
River City Science Academy receives approval to open their 5th campus, RCSA Intracoastal. The school opens in August 2021 and serves grades K – 8.
August, 2020
RCSA Southeast
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
RCSA 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
August, 2021
RCSA Innovation gets an upgrade!
RCSA Innovation is moving a block north to a new, upgraded campus with a state-of-the-art gymnasium and recreation area.
August, 2021
March, 2023
2022-2023 Schools of Excellence
RCSA Elementary, RCSA Mandarin and RCSA Middle-High received the School of Excellence status by FLDOE. All six RCSA non-profit, STEM-focused, public charter schools reached an A-rated and High Performing status with the Florida Department of Education from the 2023-2024 school year.
August, 2023
RCSA Southeast
River City Science Academy receives approval to open their 6th campus, RCSA Southeast. The school opens in August 2023 and serves grades K – 8.
August, 2023
2023
U.S. News
RCSA locations places on the U.S. News "Best Elementary Schools", "Best Middle Schools", and "Best High Schools" lists.
August, 2023
AP School Honor Roll
RCSA Middle-High reached AP School Honor Roll Gold and Estimated to reach Platinum for all levels for the 2024-2025 School year.
August, 2023
2023
The largest single artist mural in Jacksonville
Local artist and muralist, Mary Joan Hinson, is commissioned to complete the largest single artist mural in Jacksonville, measuring 250 feet at our Middle-High campus. The process took 2 months to complete and stands as River City Science Academy's ongoing testament to STEM education, inventions and innovation, space exploration, and patriotism.
2024
All 6 schools reaching A grade
RCSA Elementary reaching State School of Character, and Middle-High and Mandarin reaching National School of Character.
2024
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.