Julington Creek Elementary School

Posted: May 15, 2026

Posted: May 15, 2026

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Posted: May 15, 2026

We have the best principal now Dr. R! A lot of the prior reviews mention the old principal. The new one has kept and brought the very best teachers to julington creek elementary. The school is truly the very very best experience for my kifd. The principal, and all the staff are literally so incredible!!! I have loved every minute being there and my kids are thriving there!

Posted: April 30, 2025

Posted: April 30, 2025

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Posted: April 30, 2025

I attended JCES growing up and was super excited when we moved back in the area that my children would be able to attend there as well. I have a (now) 5th grader and a 1st grader. They both love their teachers (which speaks volumes to the teachers ability to keep the kids engaged) and have overall enjoyed their school experience. I have felt that as a parent my voice is heard and there is ample opportunities to be able to be engaged in my children's school life. 100% recommend JCES!

Posted: April 23, 2025

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Posted: April 23, 2025

Posted: April 23, 2025

Teachers and current principal, Dr. Reichenberg was excellent. I got a impression that they really care about the students.

Posted: March 4, 2025

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Posted: March 4, 2025

This is our 4th year at JCE, and I can confidently say it is the most warm and inviting community! The PTO is EXCEPTIONAL and coordinates so many great events and fundraisers for the school, the principal is empathetic and great with the students, and the teachers have all been exceptional. I have a 3rd grader and a 1st grader and both are thriving here! The room parents are great at keeping us updated, and both teachers send out weekly emails with the next week's events and learning plans.

I can not say enough great things about this school! We moved to this area specifically for this school, and it has far exceeded my expectations.

Posted: January 11, 2024

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Posted: January 11, 2024

This is our fourth year at the school and I continue to be very pleased with our family's experience. Our new principal, Dr. Reichenberg, sets a wonderful tone and example. She is warm, engaged, compassionate, and by all accounts is a terrific leader. Communication is great. They have introduced new programs for the students this year, including quarterly field days, monthly awards ceremonies, and other opportunities for positive recognition. My children have had excellent teachers who support them both inside the classroom and out (attending games, plays, awards ceremonies, etc). Parental involvement is strong and there is a very active PTO. While it is a large school, if you can get involved, it quickly "shrinks" and feels very much like a family. We moved to JCP specifically for this elementary school and have not been disappointed.

Posted: December 18, 2023

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Posted: December 18, 2023

While family’s experiences can vary greatly, I feel compelled to write a positive tenure review since a frustrated parent is far more likely to review than a pleased one.

Yes they teach to the test. As they should. However every class my kids have been in also do lots of more creative and group learning.

Every teacher has been extremely supportive. COVID remote learning was certainly not as productive and required significant at home learning turning parents into teachers. But I can’t see any way around that for the younger kids.

I’m very pleased overall with this school and you are likely to be s as happy here as you would be at any other public school.

Posted: March 31, 2023

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Posted: March 31, 2023

The only reason I would recommend this school is because most of the teachers here are respectful, sweet and friendly. The teachers show they actually care and are passionate in what they do. However, the current school principal, Mrs. Murphy, couldn't care less about students and parents. She is not approachable, nor is genuine and very unfriendly. She has no interest in listening to our concerns, or professional when dealing with situations and solving issues that occurs, I’m surprise she is still the school principal of the school.

Posted: March 4, 2022

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Posted: March 4, 2022

Posted: March 4, 2022

Posted: March 4, 2022

We were new to the school this year and worried about my daughter being behind based on lack of learning at previous school during 2 years of CoVid shutdowns/ virtual schooling. However her teachers and ESE support staff have been amazing and she has succeeded beyond our expectations and is an honor roll student now!
All teachers and staff have been amazing and I love the community feel of the school! So many parents walking and riding bike with their kids to and from school!

Posted: March 4, 2022

Posted: July 31, 2021

Posted: July 31, 2021

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Posted: July 31, 2021

Posted: July 31, 2021

The only reason, I give this school two stars is because we love the teachers at this school, but the current school principal, Mrs. Murphy, couldn't care less about students and parents. Very unfriendly, not approachable, not genuine, and has a demeaning attitude towards parents. She has no interest in listening much less in solving any requests. It also appears that most teachers are bullied by the principal as well.

Posted: July 31, 2021

Posted: October 25, 2019

Posted: October 25, 2019

A vile incident happened and the school did nothing about it.

Posted: October 25, 2019

My daughter has an IEP she does not feel support and us struggling.

Posted: October 25, 2019

I moved here for this school. We have attended 4 years and this is our last year. The school has gotten a lot worse. It seemed excellent but its not. Just smoke and mirrors they don't care about their students

Posted: October 25, 2019

Posted: September 30, 2018

We have loved every teacher our children had.

Posted: September 30, 2018

Posted: September 30, 2018

Posted: September 30, 2018

They work as hard as they can to individualize the education to the specific child. There are many resources for children with different abilities.

Posted: September 30, 2018

They take all reports of bullying very seriously.

Posted: September 30, 2018

Great staff. My children love the school and I do too. Feels like family.

Posted: September 30, 2018

The administration does a good job of trying to make teachers assign a reasonable amount of homework based on age.

Posted: April 25, 2018

I do not have any knowledge of the school's effectiveness in this area.

Posted: April 25, 2018

I was very disappointed in the incredibly poor response the new principal had to a bullying situation my child encountered this year.

Posted: April 25, 2018

I feel like the teachers are as effective as they can be based on the limited support they receive from the new principal.

Posted: April 25, 2018

Again, under the two previous principals, I have felt that the school excelled in these areas, but it now falls very short in these areas.

Posted: April 25, 2018

Until this year, I have been incredibly happy with Julington Creek Elementary School and was proud to endorse the school to potential new families. Unfortunately, I can not say the same for this school year under the very poor leadership of the new principal.

Posted: April 25, 2018

Our experience at this school started out wonderfully under the outstanding leadership of Mr. Story and Mrs. Olson. Unfortunately, I can not say the same about this year under the leadership of the new principal, Mrs. Murphy.

Posted: April 25, 2018

I very much appreciate the rule the previous principal implemented, basing time spent on homework each night on your child's grade level...10 minutes times your grade level.

Posted: January 22, 2018

I haven’t had an issue and I hope I don’t!!!!

Posted: January 22, 2018

The principal is new and she doesn’t care for concerns you have for your child. She’s heartless and is fake!!!

Posted: January 22, 2018

My son was told by his kindergarten teacher and 1st grade teacher that he was gifted. He was years above his grade level. No pre k, I taught him from home, his 2nd grade teacher is now making him read 1st grade books. Lots of pictures and short sentences. Why are the kids being taught backwards?? They don’t have enough one on one time with the kids.

Posted: January 22, 2018

They are giving 2nd grader, whine some are on a 4/5 grade level , 1/2 grade books to read.

Posted: January 22, 2018

The kids are great!! They all seem to get along. They all know each other no matter what grade. They volunteer their time. Great job parents, in making your child who they are today. Keep them in Ive the and loved.

Posted: January 22, 2018

Car line is horrific. Leaving 30 minutes early just to make it on time. The line is mikes down race track rd. It’s a nightmare and for pick up I leave an hour early because if you’re not in the parking lot, you’ll be waiting forever. The car line is a disaster!!!!

Posted: January 22, 2018

Reading homework is a joke. My son is in 2nd grade and he’s on a 4/5th grade level but he’s bringing home books ,given as a reading assignment , as of 1/2nd grader. Seriously the teachers or just this one teacher are not in tuned with all their kids and don’t work with them on a one on one basis. She knows he’s above average so why make him go backwards??? She killed is desire for learning. He used to love 1st grade. His teacher then was AMAZING.

Posted: July 22, 2017

Posted: July 22, 2017

Posted: July 22, 2017

Posted: July 22, 2017

Posted: July 22, 2017

Posted: July 22, 2017

The overwhelming goal is to maintain high test scores on standardized, computer administered tests that last about 2 hours and are administered to students about 4 x a year, beginning in Kindergarten. If a student fails the standardized testing in 3rd grade, even if that same student excels in all class work and class tests, failure on standardized testing dictates that student is a "mandatory hold back." I.e., the student will not be allowed to advance to 4th grade & will repeat the 3rd grade. Teachers' salaries are tied to students' performance on standardized testing. Too many resources are diverted into maintaining high standardized test scores but to what end? On 5/18/12 The Washington Post wrote "Florida’s standardized testing program is being misused & has severely impacted student learning." So many resources are diverted into maintaining high standardized test scores, that there are woefully insufficient resources allocated to ensure School Administrators & Directors are trained in student safety programs such as SESIR & theDistrict's own Code of Conduct. Clay & Duval Counties report SESIR incidents at a much higher rate than St. Johns County schools. I do not believe this is because there are fewer incidents in St. Johns County. I believe this is because such incidents are unreported based on my own recent experience with a JCE Administrator and Director, one of whom admitted she had no training in & therefore no awareness of the existence of SESIR; the other was aware she was a Mandatory Reporter but had no idea of the existence of SESIR. The safety of children should be of paramount concern and priority. Even if the test scores were not an invalid indicator of later success, what would it matter if schools are unaware & untrained in executing their duty to keep children safe?

Posted: July 22, 2017

Posted: September 29, 2016

Same as all the other schools EXCEPT that there are MORE WHITE PEOPLE HERE . Teachers are not exceptional, nothing here is BETTER. Same bullying, same c r a p, same PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT FAIL YOUR CHILDREN. The Teachers morale is SOOOOO LOW!!! They DO NOT have effective ESE teachers, and they only have 2 !! What a joke for over 1,000 children. Services do NOT EXIST HERE

Posted: September 29, 2016

Principal won't write up an OFFICIAL REPORT unless she is PRESSED to do it. most parents have no idea that the report does NOT EXIST in the district files.

Posted: September 29, 2016

They cannot because they only have 2 ESE teachers for over 1,000 kids! What a joke!! They need like 10 of them. Low morale, teachers hate their jobs...etc etc

Posted: September 29, 2016

Posted: September 29, 2016

Posted: September 29, 2016

NOPE. ESE teachers (only 2???, should be like 10 of them) Morale is SO LOW here ! Awful awful district

Posted: September 29, 2016

Too much COMMON CORE C R A P HOMEWORK making children feel like failures. same old everything just more WHITE people in this district. Bullying, poor teacher skills..

Posted: May 3, 2015

My 2nd grader has been blessed with some very good dedicated teachers. From Ms Meadows in K, Mrs Adams in 1st and Mrs Kirby in 2nd grade.

Posted: September 25, 2014

The new Common Core Curriculum is a nightmare. I wish Florida had not taken the money, and instituted this awful thing Homework is going on for 2 hours. My daughter is crying and frustrated. The math is more like a paragraph/ cruel riddle that indirectly asks the actual math question. A disaster. The teachers cannot possibly be happy, with the risk of losing their jobs due to possibility of students scores/too low. Pressure on our students is going to be much worse than the FCats. Common Core is a Socialist form of Education. Many of the books are incorrect when it comes to important things like details of our History. Our children are having to answer personal questions on some of the tests. i.e. Do your parents get along? Do you have fire arms in your home? 11 and 12 year olds are being asked on tests what they think about Lesbian/Gay issues Its here! The dumbing down of our Children, right here in Saint Johns County Schools

Posted: August 28, 2014

Transportation DOES NOT EXIST. I sit in the pick up and drop off parent LINES FOR HOURS. If your child has a LD, this is NOT the place for you. They cannot help you, they won't. Teachers ( several) in 4th grade DO NOT CARE. KIds are very nice. School is clean and well done. Education, FORGET IT

Posted: May 20, 2014

In response to the person's response to the review dated Dec 13, their statement is false and was posted under false assumptions. I have one student in gifted and the other is in the "general population," so I am not speaking strictly to the gifted program. At times my general population child has more work than that of my child in the gifted program, but there are still high expectations and a variety of assignments for both. I am not blowing smoke - I've been in several elementary schools and JCE ranks at the top.

Posted: January 25, 2014

Do not put you child in this school if they have a learning disability. They will not help much and will make you do all the teaching.

Posted: December 21, 2013

In response to the prior review, this parent is speaking strictly regarding the gifted program. Your child's academic experience within the general student population at JCE won't be anywhere close to this stellar.

Posted: December 12, 2013

I have read so many reviews admonishing this school based upon their focus on the FCAT that I am compelled to respond. This is a great school, and among the best you'll find in Northeast Florida (we moved from Duval county and our kids have attended 3 elementary schools in the last 5 years). My kids are challenged each day with assignments way outside the FCAT realm. They are reading 200-page books with written questions to check understanding, diving into history by reading biographies, and giving oral reports based on interviewing military veterans to create posters to honor them on Veteran's Day. They are tasked with doing science experiments at home, including using recycled items to create a boat with some form of propulsion. These kinds of tasks are fertilizing little minds to help them grow in their understanding of the world around them, to fuel their curiosity, and to equip them to be critical thinkers. The goal is to do well on the FCAT, but I have found that it is balanced with the mission of educating our children. Florida has tied financial penalties and rewards based upon test results, so it will always be important, but at Julington Creek it isn't the MOST important.

Posted: September 4, 2013

First the pros: 1) some really good, caring teachers/staff who actually do their jobs; 2) the asst. principal is smart and hardworking; 3) the resource teachers (art, music, computer) are passionate & it shows; 4) high parental involvement = mostly decent kids & higher levels of achievement. Now the cons: 1) Adm. & PTO are both VERY political; 2) parental involvement seems to be waning in recent years; 3) some teachers are burnt out,/unconcerned/otherwise mediocre; 3) agree w/others, the principal blows off parental concerns. It's still better than a lot of schools out there, but for St. Johns County, probably average.

Posted: September 2, 2013

We moved from another state and my daughter has attended a few different schools. I was looking for someplace to settle in and found the high ratings for this school. It is only the beginning of the year and I am so disappointed already. They may have good test scores but all they do is teach for the test. The teacher nearly said as much during curriculum night. Their transportation is a nightmare. I have had a safety concern and went to the principal and transportation with no results. I've made sure to put everything in writing to leave a paper trail. The principal couldn't even pull the correct information out of my letter to provide to the transportation dept. Good thing he is not taking the FCAT this year. Our teach admitted to barely knowing how to send email let alone update her webpage. She voiced multiple times how busy she is with her own life and my daughter reports her taking cell phone calls frequently during class. This may be a dream school for some who have nothing to compare it to. However, I am most disappointed and may even move in the middle of the year if I am able to find something better. Poor resource classes as well.

Posted: August 19, 2013

Very disappointing. Several poor teachers and the administration turns a blind eye despite complaints from multiple sources. They don't care about the children or their eduction. Their only focus is the FCAT scores. They are more concerned about teaching to the test instead of teaching them what they actually need to be successful. Unfortunately, the children lose out on a quality education while the administration wastes time playing games or just completely ignoring the issues. The administration is very political - they tell you what you want to hear but don't actually do anything to help the children. Nothing but excuses and poor attitudes. Pathetic that they call themselves educators and advocates for children when all they are truely concerned about is their own hidden agendas. Sad that this is supposed to be one of the top schools in the area. Highly recommend looking anywhere but here.

Posted: August 13, 2013

Admin is EXTREMELY political. This school works very well until you dare to have a problem. And may God be with you if you do have a problem. Not only will your problem go unresolved, everyone from teachers to admin not involved in your issue will know about it. I agree with the reviewer who said the principal is a poor problem-solver. Not only is he a poor problem-solver, he is very unprofessional in the way he handles problems. If you are one of their 'favorite' parents, your child will get all the best teachers (You need only look through the yearbook to see this unfortunate pattern.) But if you are not, your child will get the scraps. If you are someone who can smile when there is a problem and pretend it isn't an issue, then this is the perfect school for you. If you are a fierce advocate for your child, I strongly suggest you go elsewhere.

Posted: July 24, 2013

Disappointing first year. Fifth grade teachers make it very clear that they do not want parent involvement. Administration does not follow through. Cafeteria workers are harsh. PE teacher sarcastic and music teacher shrill. I agree with posts that topics are rushed through and not given proper attention when a child needs extra help.

Posted: February 22, 2013

This is our 1st year at JCE, & I was excited b/c of the good rep, but my actual experience has been disappointing. PROS: parent & Community involvement, nice clean facilities, active PTO, safe environment, friendly staff. CONS: academics geared toward the average ( my son is bored & is clearly not being challenged), the admin & PTO are very political (don't get on their bad side or else), not good communication home from teacher ( if I do not reach out I am left in the dark), I had some concerns about the discipline in the class and felt I was given the brush off (later I heard from my son it had improved, but the teacher didn't tell me that she had addressed my concerns. I think she wants me to stay out of her way.) Teachers are very worried about assessments like the FCAT (this is a problem statewide in FL public schools.) My son has encountered the "mean girl" phenomenon, and I do not think a strong emphasis is placed on moral teaching (I think the school relies on the parents for this which works because of the nice community, but there is little reinforcement at the school.) It's not THAT bad, but we are strongly considering switching to private.

Posted: May 29, 2012

I have to say that where no school is perfect, this one STRIVES for it. Mr. Story is an amazing principal. He truly cares for the students. My daughter does not warm up to men and she ADORES him! We have had some major issues with the school, but in the end we wouldn't dream of moving our children to any other school. Mr. Story is always willing to work on the solution to any problem. I have seen first hand how big of a difference that can make in the academic and social success of a child.

Posted: February 14, 2012

My youngest child (of three) is now in 4th grade and has attended JCE since Kindergarten. Overall, we have been very pleased with her education, as well as the special services that are provided. My daughter is in the gifted program. The school and the district go out of their way to ensure that each child has an individualized plan of instruction. As a parent, I couldn't ask for more from a public school. This school is large for an elementary school with over 1,000 students. Great teachers. Very involved parents.

Posted: August 16, 2011

This school is the reason we moved to this community. The academic quality exceeds most private schools and provides a nurturing environment that my 7 and 9 year old children flourish in. Every teacher we have had goes out of their way to communicate how our child is progressing and how we can help them improve. Daily email are almost the standard for each teacher. They share pictures, activity updates and every parent is ALWAYS invited to participate to the extent their schedules permit. I can not imagine a more ideal setting for my children to grow both academically and socially!