2023 Best High Schools in the Jacksonville Area

• Duval County Public Schools, FL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  831 reviews

Sophomore: The school provides very rigorous but manageable academic instructions that challenges student to build up time management skills and work ethic for their success in their future career and college. The school has a supportive staff members and a very diverse and friendly student body! The teacher and guidance counselor are there for you if you have any problems dealing with academic work and at-home problems. Overall, this school is an excellent choice for a student to excel in academically and in their future careers!... Read 831 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,539

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Jacksonville, FL•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  146 reviews

Alum: I loved attending Episcopal because I genuinely feel as if this school prepared me for my college journey. I would be completely lost if I didn't have the support this school provided to me. The art and music programs at this school are phenomenal, as well as the sports offered too! The teachers at ESJ only want their students to thrive and do the best work they are able to produce. Teachers here are very understanding, helpful, and kind. I've made some of the best relationships at this school that I will hopefully carry with me for a long time.... Read 146 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 886

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Jacksonville, FL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  165 reviews

Senior: Bolles is an excellent school with amazing opportunities in all areas. The teachers and advisors truly care for you and your success and will do anything to help you. The majority of the students are amazing people allowing for deep connections. If you do not get involved and put yourself out there you will waste the thousands of dollars it costs to attend. However, as someone who attended and whose parents sacrificed everything including financial burdens, if you put yourself out there (I mean truly put yourself out there in every aspect) then every penny is worth it!... Read 165 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,634

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• St. Johns County School District, FL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  275 reviews

Senior: Ok so, my favorite parts about this school are mainly the academics. There are many classes to take and the guidance counselors are very helpful in assisting students to take the classes that challenge them appropriately. I can't speak on many issues surrounding the school, but I think what needs to be changed most of all is the accessibility of mental health services in the school. It's very academically rigorous if you choose to go that route and the competition can feel like a rat race from time to time, and burnout can become a real issue. However, the school is working on that with a Sources of Strength program and Character Chat Wednesdays (which are helpful only if you have the right teacher).... Read 275 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,914

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Duval County Public Schools, FL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  824 reviews

Senior: What I like most about attending Paxon is the challenge that my classes present. The floor level of these subjects is fairly high. Keeping up the pace week after week can be pretty demanding, yet it is really all worthwhile. That moment when you know you have made the grade is extremely gratifying! As exhilarating as it is to win this learning game, the homework load can feel overwhelming at times. More often than not, each of my class assignments required an hour or more to complete on a nightly basis. I have to say that there have been times when a little moderation in the workload would have been mentally refreshing for me as a student.... Read 824 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,376

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Orange Park, FL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  59 reviews

Parent: St. Johns Country Day is an extraordinary school and there is no truer validation than as an alumni, to purposefully move close by when our children were born so that they could reap the benefits as I did. A beautiful combo of the highest academics, arts, sports and community can be found here. You could not find a better place to nurture and grow a superior education than at this school. Take a tour and check out all that St. Johns has to offer!... Read 59 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 525

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• St. Johns County School District, FL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  399 reviews

Senior: I had an overall positive experience at Creekside. I was surrounded by my fair share of wonderful teachers who truly cared for the education of their students and connected with the material they were teaching. Creekside also has several academies for students who have a particular interest in Engineering, Teaching, Digital Media or Cybersecurity. Students have the benefit of earning certifications and participating in paid internships that can provide excellent long-term opportunities. There are also numerous clubs and extracurricular activities at Creekside. Creekside is known for its successful athletic teams.... Read 399 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,379

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Duval County Public Schools, FL•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  176 reviews

Junior: I love my experience while attending Darnell Cookman Middle High School! I loved the fact that the school prepared you for life after high school with its rigorous courses. However, they always offered tutoring to ensure you did not fail. This is a school where the teachers love to teach and the students love to learn and it’s the perfect school to get you prepared for college. Although it’s an academic forward school, there are plenty of extracurricular activities as well.... Read 176 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,150

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• St. Johns County School District, FL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  531 reviews

Senior: Bartram Trail is aa amazing experience. Especially, if you plan to be a student athlete, the teachers understand if you need extra help or time as long as you communicate. To me there is no such thing as a perfect high school experience, but Bartram did make mine very memorable and fun. Especially spirit week!... Read 531 reviews

• grade A

• Students 3,086

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Clay County School District, FL•

• PK, 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  564 reviews

Alum: I was in the AICE program at Fleming, so I felt like I learned a lot of significant skills that would prepare me for college and my overall future. Fleming Island focuses on academics, sports, socializing, and professionalism. I honestly had a great high school experience at Fleming. Although the AICE program was difficult, the priorities and skills that the program instilled in the students is really helpful in my opinion. The teachers and counselors were a lot of help throughout my high school experience and I always felt like I had someone to turn to. There is a sense of companionship and togetherness not only within the students, but with the administration as well. However, I wish there was more of a strict set of guidelines for certain policies. Sometimes, it felt like a guessing game if something was allowed or not since some teachers would allow it and others wouldn’t. A student wouldn’t realize they were doing something wrong since some administrators wouldn’t mind it.... Read 564 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,972

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Duval County Public Schools, FL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  610 reviews

Junior: Douglas Anderson was probably the best years of my high school experience. I was new to the state when I first started attending and it felt like a really good start to my time there. The teachers there are versatile with their teaching, and the kids are incredibly unique and different. DA brought out the creative side of me and allowed me to express myself with things from my outfits, to my school activities and work. Students will be students and hate on the school while their in it, but compared to the schools in the area, it was pretty great. Take this rating lightly! The experience differs for everyone based off of your major and who you are.... Read 610 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,120

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• St. Johns County School District, FL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  421 reviews

Alum: Nease has incredible academies, along with the International Baccalaureate program, dual enrollment opportunities, the #1 ROTC program in the nation, and top tier athletics. With about 2600 students, Nease is a large school which helps create opportunities for students. The teachers are very informative and Nease consistently scores very high in standardized tests. The campus has a pod layout, so students walk outside between classes. This is refreshing and gives the school an open atmosphere, but can really suck during heavy rain. Nease is also located right off of US-1, and traffic is a problem at the start and end of the day. Low district salaries also contributes to high teacher and counselor turnover.... Read 421 reviews

• grade A

• Students 3,105

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Jacksonville, FL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  149 reviews

Parent: Selecting a school for your child can be overwhelming. From the moment we toured Providence, it felt like home. My twins started in preschool and graduated this year as part of the Class of 2022. (1) Providence is first and foremost a Christian school. (2) The teachers truly love and care about the students and strive to ensure they succeed. (3) Culture on campus is really one of warmth and friendliness; (4) They definitely put a priority on student safety. (5) Opportunities for students to shine and explore their interests. Providence is always there not only for the students but also for the parents in every aspect of life. Children are able to witness what is like to be a Christian follower; they also know what is expected in terms of quality and discipline. Excellent leadership and we love how they create a positive attitude at Providence. Providence is a complete package! No need to look elsewhere as you won't regret it.... Read 149 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,621

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Jacksonville, FL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  132 reviews

Parent: We had 3 children attend Bishop Snyder & I am blessed to say each left with an academic education that prepared them for success! They each had multiple offers from leading universities with continued success in graduate school and professionally. The administration & faculty had a sincere desire to see our children mature in ways that prepared them to be valuable, honest, and reliable adults. Hands down, BJS is the best college preparatory school in Jacksonville.... Read 132 reviews

• grade A

• Students 440

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Jacksonville, FL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  232 reviews

Senior: I have absolutely adored my time at Bishop Kenny High School so far. Although I have not finished my senior year, I feel more prepared than ever to attend college. Their college readiness program is no joke, you truly feel like you will be prepared for any challenge that you may face in college. Of course, this couldn’t be done without the encouragement from the amazing teachers and staff, who truly want to see their students succeed. Not to mention, our school spirit, it’s infectious! When I first attended Bishop Kenny, I was terrified of talking to people, but the hospitable attitude adorned by our school has definitely helped me face my fear. If I were to critique anything about Bishop Kenny, I would say that the music/arts doesn’t get nearly enough attention as it deserves, considering how incredibly talented these students are. Additionally, some bad situations are handled poorly. Lastly, we have made steps towards inclusivity and diversity, but there is still more to do.... Read 232 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,340

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• St Augustine, FL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  46 reviews

Senior: An amazing school, with great teachers and students! Saint Joseph academy provides the students with a safe environment for growth in many areas. The many clubs allowed the students to interact with each other and also provides a time for them to share time with their teachers.... Read 46 reviews

• grade A

• Students 236

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Jacksonville, FL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  39 reviews

Parent: My first-year of experience at Harvest Community School HCS was great! The teachers are so welcoming and kind. Since it is small, we are like a family. The teachers are very invested in the student's education as well as their personal life because they truly care about their students and want to succeed. In addition, academics isn’t all they care about. They care about your spiritual well being and your faith as well. HCS will always be in my heart.... Read 39 reviews

• grade A

• Students 206

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Duval County Public Schools, FL•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  115 reviews

Parent: My daughter is in her first year of attending RCSA and is in the 8th grade. My wife and I have been extremely pleased with the entire experience including the quality of the teachers, the leadership provided by the administration, and the opportunities for our daughter to participate in advanced classes such as honors biology and geometry. The level of communication from the teachers as well as the school is excellent with weekly RCSA newsletters and weekly progress reports regarding our daughters academic progress. Most importantly we value the culture that is deeply embedded within and throughout the entire RCSA community. We are thankful to have found RCSA and looking forward to our daughter transitioning into the RCSA high school next year!... Read 115 reviews

• grade A

• Students 944

• Student-teacher ratio 94:1

• Clay County School District, FL•

• PK, 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  459 reviews

Senior: Everyone is very nice and welcoming, even to new students! My guidance counselor always watched out for me, even though she had a hundred other students to take care of. She was on top of everything! The library is the best part of the school. It's not just a place to read books. You connect with other students and staff there! There are many activities to do. For example, they have 3D pens you can play with! They also hold many events at the library for students. The librarian is very sweet and makes everything enjoyable. Overall, this is a great school for everyone.... Read 459 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,501

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Nassau County School District, FL•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  126 reviews

Junior: Fernandina Beach High School was a super exceptional school to grow up in while learning not only academics, but also myself. Everything from the staff, teachers, and work has been an amazing experience. Every teacher here has such big heats and the greatest personalities, I'm so glad I got to create such great connections with so many of them. Even the staff is very helpful if we have any questions or concerns. I was able to learn about myself and grow into the person I am today because of the staff and people I was surrounded around! Fernandina Beach High School would get 5 stars, but there's always room for improvement. My only concern is creating a better looking environment as our school is mostly an outside school.... Read 126 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 954

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Clay County School District, FL•

• PK, 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  649 reviews

Sophomore: I've been at Oakleaf High School for a year now. It has been a great experience for me! There are amazing teachers. I've always had an issue with math, and my Algebra 2 teacher from freshman year gave students many tools to be successful, including review sheets and tutoring. There are many different clubs to choose from, including art, theatre, basketball, chorus, physics, gym, keyboarding, psychology, and more. Oakleaf High School also has many different clubs to choose from. There's drama club, guitar club, recycling club, culinary club, debate team, national honor society, and so much more.... Read 649 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 2,517

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• St Augustine, FL•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Alum: Attending this school was absolutely life-changing for me. I previously attended the regular public high school where my family was living and failing my courses due to lack of assistance for students with visual impairments. After transferring to the Blind High School at Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, I was able to learn without the barriers I had in regular school, and I was truly able to thrive in my academics and all around. This school and its staff are truly amazing people and are making differences in children's lives that are commendable.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 112

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Duval County Public Schools, FL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  476 reviews

Senior: I love this school, Fletcher. There’s one thing I don’t like about it and I don’t think it’s as clean as it should be. Other than that, it’s fantastic! The teachers, coaches, office members and all the staff is amazing! Their so genuine and kind and go out of their way for their students!... Read 476 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 2,010

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Jacksonville, FL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  212 reviews

Alum: I only attended Trinity Christian Academy for the last 2 months of my Jr year and my senior year. First off, my football coach, the football program and the brotherhood formed with my fellow teammates are beyond what I could possibly hope for. It was the best experience to be apart of a dynamic team where we all supported each other! I enjoyed all my teachers, some more that others. My favorite classes were religion, Government, and Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace. The teachers that taught those class were my favorite. I think I liked the classes because of the teachers... a great teacher can make learning fun. And last but not least I gain some amazing friends that I hope to be able to call them fiends for life.... Read 212 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,323

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Duval County Public Schools, FL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  458 reviews

Alum: Hello! I am a graduate student from Atlantic Coast High School, graduating in 2021. In my first year here, I was able to create tight bonds with my classmates that still go strong today and it was possible due to the positive environment the school created. I was hard of hearing and I absolutely loved the accommodations they offered. Of course, this is a 4-star review as I've had very few hardships that posed a large obstacle for me in my 4 years learning. There were a few teachers that made it difficult to understand the material and a great need to revamp the learning material they're given. It's extremely stressful when every year, another lesson is added onto the pile. That said, I absolutely love this school despite it's flaws and I hope it thrives and changes in the coming years.... Read 458 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 2,304

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1