River City Science Academy Elementary in Jacksonville

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	10/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking data from Florida Department of Education, and using 2025 Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking data from Florida Department of Education.
Student Growth	10/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Florida Department of Education.

Posted: September 11, 2024

Its not even been a month into starting into kindergarten at this new school, and the scariest incident happened.
I went to pick up my kid after extended care and they said he was already picked up by his father without checking!
They repeatedly confirmed that the child wasnt on the campus with the staff being very uncooperative! They just did not care and said that they had searched every room in the building and he wasnt found.
It had been 30 minutes into this process and just when I was about to call the authorities they brought his over to me.
The child was locked in the playground bathroom for over an hour after dismissal from his club and never made it to extended care and no one noticed!

Posted: September 11, 2024

Posted: May 3, 2024

This team cares! With a great guidance counselor, an admin team fully invested in these kids, and teachers working hard to help your students, it feels good to know your kids are here.

Posted: May 3, 2024

Posted: April 24, 2024

I do like the love and atmosphere at the school.Everyone gets along pretty much.I do feel some teachers need a little more patience or understanding but other than that the school is great.

Posted: April 24, 2024

Posted: April 22, 2024

Such an enriching environment with great staff . My kids enjoy coming to school now when they didnt before in the public school system . I asked for a team to help me with my kids and their education and I found a great team in river city . Looking forward to our next year .

Posted: April 22, 2024

Posted: April 19, 2024

We made the correct choice when we selected River city science academy school as Delsa's fourth and fifth grades .
We love this school. Campus, teachers, curriculum .
My daughter has truly blossomed over the past two years academically and socially. She is always happy to go to school and has a wonderful relationship with her teachers. The director and teachers are very supportive.

Posted: April 19, 2024

It is essential for parents to be part of their children's education at RCSA Elementary in order for them to succeed. The teachers are great and very responsive to any and all questions and concerns parents might have.

Posted: April 19, 2024

This is the best school ever since my daughter attended she always loved and was easy to Communicate with the teacher and safety is %100 Education %100

Posted: April 19, 2024

Very good school. Good program and great teachers.

Posted: April 19, 2024

This a fantastic school all around. We love it.

Posted: April 19, 2024

Best School in Jacksonville, 10/10. We have a kindergartner and we couldnt have sent him anywhere better at the start of his education! Hes learned so much and you can see the difference in him from the beginning of the year. We will always refer anyone to RCSA that looking for a school for their child.

Posted: April 19, 2024

Posted: May 15, 2023

As part of the River City Science Academy Elementary community, I wholeheartedly recommend River City Science Academy to anyone seeking an outstanding educational experience for their young learner. This institution excels in providing a well-rounded education, combining academic excellence with character development, technological innovation, and a vibrant community. The impact it has on students is truly transformative, preparing them to become lifelong learners and contributing members of society. River City Science Academy Elementary undoubtedly deserves five stars for its unwavering commitment to educational excellence.

Posted: May 15, 2023

Posted: May 25, 2021

My son is going to 2nd grade next year and has been at RCSA since kindergarden and we love it.

Posted: May 25, 2021

Posted: May 3, 2021

My children have been attending River City Science Academy since 2011 and went onto the middle and high schools. The staff and admin remain committed to seeing that students are successful academically and become outstanding citizens.

Posted: November 5, 2018

They have zero tolerance with bully, they have strong security

Posted: November 5, 2018

We love the school and all the advanced programs they have

Posted: November 5, 2018

They try to balance the work load and have open doors with parents

Posted: November 5, 2018

They are open and try to help the students

Posted: November 5, 2018

Diversity is key and they promote respect

Posted: November 5, 2018

The director is great and his staff

Posted: November 5, 2018

They try to work with the students and discuss with the parents any difficulty

Posted: July 18, 2018

They offer tutoring and iReady which works with the child's individual learning techniques.

Posted: July 18, 2018

Have not experienced this yet at the school - no opinion.

Posted: July 18, 2018

It's a lot - especially for KG (5-6 year olds). Roughly 3-4 hours of homework per week - depending on the speed and accuracy of your child. However, it is not that bad. If you put in the work as a parent, your child will excel.

Posted: July 18, 2018

Teachers at this school do care, and do their best to accommodate all questions, comments and concerns.

Posted: July 18, 2018

The principal of the school is fair enough.

Posted: July 18, 2018

Overall, this school is amazing and I would not send my child anywhere else. The teachers do their best to help you navigate the strict education and disciplinary system in place at the school. Which is great, because it is pretty intense. The education provided at this school is excellent. The work is challenging and if your child can not keep up, tutoring is offered even for KG students.

I would like to see the Dojo app go away completely, after talking to many other parents of children at the school we have concluded that teachers are spending far too much time on the app and it is being overused. Which causes parents to be notified 15-20 times a day about their child's good and bad behavior. It's too much. Also, I would like to see the disciplinary point system tweaked for KG students. Detention in KG for points accumulated over a period of time (I think 6-9 weeks? I honestly can't rememer) is not appropriate for the age rage (5-6 year olds). By the time they have accumulated enough negative dojos (Talking, being silly, not lining up correctly, not sitting quietly, not following directions - all things children this age do. Which is why Pre-School and KG exist - to teach them.) over the course of roughly 6 weeks they have forgotten most of their offences and regardless they will be placed in detention for 1 hour. Even if their last point was for being "Excessively Silly". If you don't want detention to happen - they will work with you for other disciplinary actions - such as Losing Recess Daily, they make the children walk around during this time. The little ones can even lose field trip privileges for the next field trip, etc. At this young age - the punishments do not match the crime.

Posted: January 22, 2018

The homework challenges my twins continuously hence they look forward for more.

Posted: January 22, 2018

Answers all concerns immediately they actually care about their students progress.

Posted: January 22, 2018

My son is excelling thanks to his teacher who uses strategies that works based on his ADHD needs.

Posted: January 22, 2018

A+ Highly academic focused I can actually see such bright future for my kids.

Posted: July 20, 2017

Overwhelming amount of homework!!! JUST TOO TOO MUCH ACTER A LONG DAY.....HOPE THEY CHANGE THAT!!!

Posted: July 20, 2017

Awesome curriculum but tough for kids who just need a bit more time to complete work, and, the homework is off the chain......its is exhausting

Posted: January 31, 2017

My child attends RCSA, was fine for a few years, Honor roll and everything, we even enjoyed the school, but that changed quick.The amount of homework my poor child has is insane. I spend tons of time helping and sometimes it still isn't enough.

Posted: January 21, 2017

Good communication with parents. Principal and other administratives are approachable, and always around at events and awards ceremonies.

Posted: January 21, 2017

Just seems like too much homework time, especially if the parent works or the kid has an extracurricular or two. It's not too terrible for first grade, but I know it's only going to get worse. Maybe some should be optional for those that need to catch up.

Posted: January 21, 2017

My child is in his second year at this school. Both of his teachers have been wonderful. There is good communication - between the Dojo app and the agenda that does back and forth from home to school with the kids provides a great opportunity, although I understand that some teachers do not use the app as much as others, and it may take a day or two to get a response. Extended day is affordable, although I don't plan on using it until next year.
I do think that there is too much homework, luckily his teacher gives him the week and weekend to complete the computer part. I do love all of the STEM activities that my son does that are engaging and fun. I also like the small class sizes here (18-19 for K and 1st grade) and that it's a smaller school that provides a sense of community. Not all the charters have buses, but I am grateful that this one does. Staff always seems very caring towards the kids.

Posted: January 19, 2017

I have two daughters in this school and both are excelling. The teachers and administration put forth a noticeable effort to see that all students have the best chance to succeed.

Posted: January 19, 2017

Posted: December 12, 2016

RCSA Elementary has an amazing administration and wonderful teachers. Thanks to the classdojo app that is used by the entire school, I can communicate with my child's teachers and other staff members. They are constantly posting pictures and current events. The teachers set very high standards for their students- if you are a parent who complains about the amount of homework given or projects, this school is not for your child. Discipline is tough but fair and the principal is always welcoming to parents who need extra help with using their online systems.

Posted: December 8, 2016

River City Science Academy Elementary School offers a rigorous program for parents who are looking for a little bit more. This school encourages kids to work hard and achieve high. Some parents won't like that, but I do. I want my child to be challenged and yet feel supported. This school does that.

Posted: October 2, 2016

River City Science Academy Elementary is an average school. My child has been attending this school for the last 3yrs. The first two years there were really no issues no complaints on my behalf. But now my child is into his third year and there are some issue. So parents please take note, observe and make your own assessment's about this school, as some things have changed dramatically. For starters at the beginning of the school year, Aug 2016, all of the kids were given a state sponsored assessment test, to see what level they are at. To be honest, this is unfair, as most kids just got back from a short 2.5 month summer recess and their minds are not yet ready to take an assessment test soo quickly. As a result most if not some kids did poorly in these tests, and got placed in lower levels than what they truly are at or at the grade they are attending at. You can thank Common Core for that!!! My child got placed at a much lower level than the current grade they are attending at. Second, at the start of the school year, my child could not remember, their SLA account pin to get lunch. I kept asking both the home room teacher and even the assistant principal to the principal herself, when the kids will get their SLA pins and they all said the same thing, that the home room teacher will give it out soon. 2 months went by and no pin. Had I not packed a lunch box for my child they would have starved. It was not until I logged onto the SLA website, that I was able to retrieve my child's pin. Thank you sooo much RCSAE staff for acting soo quickly-NOT!!! Third, homework! Oooh my God! The homework that is given is insane, literally!! These kids have no time to be kids at home because of the insane amount of home work! Not to mention that at times, the homework given is not clear in directions and the websites that these kids are told to access to do their home work, often don't work or are soliciting that you sign up and pay a fee, just so that your child can read a book that was covered in class!!! Often times it creates an insane amount of work that the parents have to do(a lot of online work ), with their children at home. This home work can take up to 2 -3 hours per night to do. Insane!! Again this might be something that is being driven by both the staff at RCSAE and Common Core requirements. Again, parents beware, observe, take notes and report!!

Posted: October 2, 2016

My kid was accused of bullying, yet when I pressed the teacher for more details as to what occurred, I got no response!!! Really???? How do you expect a parent to talk to their kids or discipline them if we have no facts to back up or support our justification for discipline???

Posted: October 2, 2016

There seems to be a serious lack of parent-teacher-principal communication. Everything is directed via the Class Dojo app. good luck trying to walk in and asking to speak to the principal or teacher. You need an act of Congress for this to happen!!

Posted: October 2, 2016

The teachers are quick to deduct, points on the class Dojo website for inappropriate behavior. However when pressed (via Class Dojo App) to give an explanation to the parent as to what happened that their kid got a bad conduct point, these teachers will not reply in a timely manner or will not reply at all! So when it comes time for the parent to discipline their kids at home for their past behavior in class, they have no justification, because of the lack of feedback from the teachers who issue the bad conduct points on class dojo app. Again parents beware, observe, take notes and report!

Posted: October 2, 2016

Class dojo app. This is a joke!! The school emphasizes that if you need to contact or talk to the teacher that you do it via the Class Dojo. Great idea, except don't expect a timely reply to your question or concern. It simply will not happen in a timely fashion. The RCSAE apparently has hired some new teachers this year as they have moved to the other side of Beach Blvd to the Winn Dixie side. The inexperience that these teachers have in dealing with our kids, shows. This is something else to seriously think about. Again- parents beware, be observant as to what is going on in this school. It used to be A-rated but is starting to show "cracks in the walls". It used to be ranked near 10, now it is at a mere 7. Again parents beware, observe, take notes and report!

Posted: October 2, 2016

These kids have no time to be kids at home because of the insane amount of homework! Not to mention that at times, the homework given is not clear in directions and the websites that these kids are told to access to do their home work, often don't work or are soliciting that you sign up and pay a fee, just so that your child can read a book that was covered in class!!! Often times it creates an insane amount of work that the parents have to do(a lot of online work ), with their children at home. This homework can take up to 2 -3 hours per night to do. Insane!! Again this might be something that is being driven by both the staff at RCSAE and Common Core requirements. Again parents beware! And if you do not have access to the internet at home , or lack a computer, then you are screwed, and your child will fail in this school!!! Again, parents beware, observe, take notes and report!!

Posted: December 8, 2015

Amazing staff with dedication and care
Well established curriculum programs that fit student needs.
Exceptional communication quality that you may follow academic and behavioral progress with your cell phone
State of art STEM program like junior engineering Science Olympiad (state champions) ...

Posted: August 23, 2015

RCSA participates district teacher education and induction program for new teachers and employs only certified teachers who are eligible to work. Teachers go through portfolio evaluation, class and performance evaluation through Florida Department of Education approved evaluation programs.

Posted: August 23, 2015

The school system has many checks and balances in fairness from internal departments to district to state and national audits.

Posted: August 23, 2015

High performing charter school by Florida Department of Education
Florida School of Excellence for new standards readiness by PCG and Florida Department of Education
Florida State Science Olympiad Champion School
STEM initiative member in first coast

Posted: April 13, 2013

This is the first year my daughter has attended the school. We were previously in a private school. I didn't realize how far behind she was academically due to a lack of pride in her work. The teachers and I worked with her and she has made the A-B honor roll. She is excited about school. She loves the teachers and her friends! I love the discipline and structure. I love that fact they teach the children that they are responsible for their actions. Best school ever!

Posted: September 24, 2012

My kids have been attending for 3 years . This is a great school . Safe and challenging for my child.

Posted: March 23, 2011

This is the first year that the elementary school has been in operation and the first year that my children (grades 2 and 4) have attended the school. I took my children out of our local public elementary school (Windy Hill) and enrolled them here after I was far from satisfied with the education my children were receiving, and the amount of disciplinary issues that seemed to constantly disrupt their classroom learning time. River City is a wonderful difference! The staff at the school are lovely! They are so personable and truly love the children. They are hard working and strive very hard to make certain that your child is doing their absolute best! The size of the school makes it feel very cozy and secure, which is good for the little ones. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the curriculum that they follow and the progress I see my children making is remarkable! Im so grateful that this school exsists and feel very blessed that we have an opportunity to attend such a wonderful place so close to our home! Free after school tutoring and clubs, multiple P/T conferences throughout the year, and uniforms. Private school education and setting for the public school price! Who wouldnt LOVE that one!?!?!?

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	The Reserve at Wynnfield Lakes	Apartment Complex	Jacksonville	FL	5.6 mi
2	Highland Glen	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Jacksonville	FL	6.2 mi
3	Waterleaf	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Jacksonville	FL	6.3 mi
4	Wolf Creek Townhomes	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Jacksonville	FL	6.6 mi
5	Kernan Forest	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Jacksonville	FL	7.4 mi
6	Reed Island	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Jacksonville	FL	7.7 mi
7	Sea Oats Apartments	Apartment Complex	Atlantic Beach	FL	10.4 mi
8	Eagle Harbor	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Jacksonville	FL	10.5 mi
9	Jacksonville Beaches	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Jacksonville Beach	FL	11 mi
10	Waterford at Orange Park	Apartment Complex	Orange Park	FL	11.4 mi
11	Bartram Springs	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Jacksonville	FL	13.3 mi
12	Eagles Hammock	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Jacksonville	FL	14.1 mi
13	Spencers Plantation	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Orange Park	FL	14.4 mi
14	Fleming Island Plantation	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Orange Park	FL	16.1 mi
15	Lighthouse at Fleming Island	Apartment Complex	Fleming Island	FL	16.2 mi
16	Oakleaf Plantation	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Orange Park	FL	16.4 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	San Marco	Jacksonville	FL	4.2 mi
2	Sandalwood	Jacksonville	FL	5.6 mi
3	Riverside	Jacksonville	FL	6 mi
4	Avondale	Jacksonville	FL	7.3 mi
5	Mandarin	Jacksonville	FL	9.8 mi
6	Orange Park	Orange Park	FL	11 mi
7	Jacksonville Beaches	Jacksonville Beach	FL	11.1 mi
8	Atlantic Beach	Atlantic Beach	FL	11.4 mi
9	Fleming Island	Orange Park	FL	15.2 mi

Base	Distance
Jacksonville NAS	7.5 mi.
Coast Guard Mayport	11.4 mi.
Mayport Naval Station	11.9 mi.
Cecil Field	18.4 mi.
Camp Blanding	32.5 mi.
Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base	34.9 mi.

River City Science Academy Elementary

Jacksonville, FL 32216

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River City Science Academy Elementary

Jacksonville, FL 32216

School Ratings

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