HISTORY OF RCSA

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 most successful charter schools in Florida. RCSA is recognized as a 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 on August 2007, serving grades 6th and 7th.

August, 2007

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.

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.

2009-2010

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.

2012

RCSA Innovation

In 2012, RCSA was granted approval to open RCSA-Innovation to serve students in grades K-8. RCSA-Innovation started at a temporary location, just like the other schools, on the corner of Southside and Beach serving grades K-2. RCSA-Innovation moved into its current location at 8313 Baycenter Road in 2015 and now serves grades K-8.

2012

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.

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 2,500 students across four campuses with more than 250 employees. The schools have a diverse student population reflecting Duval county demographics.
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.