As the academic year marches onward, parents in Duval County are urged to consider their children's educational futures. Duval County Public Schools has organized the School Enrollment Expo 2025, an event that will take place on November 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. The expo provides parents the chance to thoroughly explore various schooling options for the 2026-27 school year. “As an A-rated school district, we believe many families will find their neighborhood school is the ideal choice for their child,” Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier told Duval County Public Schools. He cited the benefits of convenience, parent engagement, and diverse programs.
Parents can look forward to meeting with representatives from over 140 traditional public schools, who will be ready to answer questions about programs, enrollment, transportation, and more. For those especially with children set to begin kindergarten or pre-kindergarten, district staff will be present to assist with new student registration. Dr. Bernier emphasized the support and services that make traditional public schools an optimal choice.
Several parking options are available for the event, including a recommended spot at FSCJ’s Downtown Campus with shuttle service provided to the venue. Also noted are important deadlines that parents should to be aware of. The window for submitting special assignment lottery applications for the 2026-27 school year runs from December 1 to January 31, 2026. Applications for High School Acceleration Programs open on the same date in December but close earlier, on January 15, 2026. Lottery applications for voluntary pre-kindergarten programs are accepted from January 1 through February 28, 2026.
Furthermore, Duval County Public Schools remains committed to providing reliable bus transportation for students attending neighborhood and magnet schools alike. Noteworthy changes in the district include consolidation of several schools, which impacts the zoning of numerous students. For instance, students of Don Brewer Elementary will transition to Merrill Road Elementary; and those of George Washington Carver Elementary will rezone to Rufus E. Payne Elementary, among other changes. Families affected are recommended to attend the School Enrollment Expo to gain insights into their child's new school assignment. The district has pledged ongoing updates and individualized support for families navigating these consolidations and boundary changes.
