Oct. 16, 2024 – District leadership continues conversations with community stakeholders for proposed consolidations including discussions surrounding Bridge to Success Middle, Bridge to Success High, Hidden Oaks Elementary and George Washington Carver (G.W. Carver) Elementary.
District leadership is proposing that G.W. Carver Elementary merges with Rufus E. Payne Elementary, and Hidden Oaks Elementary merges with Cedar Hills Elementary as they work to right size the district and reduce overhead costs. They are also recommending the consolidation of Bridge to Success Middle and Bridge to Success High into one school at Eugene Butler with the existing PRIDE program.
This week, community members, families and stakeholders for Bridge to Success middle and high, Hidden Oaks, Cedar Hills, G.W. Carver, and Rufus E. Payne will gather to discuss their respective proposed mergers.
The initial consolidation meeting for Bridge to Success middle and high was scheduled for Oct. 14. The second meeting to continue this discussion is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at Bridge to Success Academy High School, 9430 Lem Turner Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32208.
G.W. Carver and Rufus E. Payne’s initial meeting was held on Oct. 15, and a second meeting is in the process of being scheduled and noticed.
Hidden Oaks and Cedar Hills will have their initial meeting this Thursday, Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. at Cedar Hills Elementary School, 6434 Ish Brant Road, Jacksonville, FL 32210.
What Families need to know:
Students attending Rufus E. Payne and Cedar Hills will not be affected by this change.
Students attending G.W. Carver and Hidden Oaks are proposed to attend their new schools starting in August 2025 if approved.
Students attending Bridge to Success middle and high will transition to Eugene Butler in August 2025 if approved.
All schools will operate as normal during the 2024-25 school year.
To keep up-to-date on upcoming bold plan meetings, be sure to monitor the district’s General Meeting Notices webpage.
Note that no final decisions have been made or approved at this time. The School Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2025-26 school consolidations on Oct. 29 and then will act on these proposals at the Board’s regular monthly meeting on Nov. 4. Learn more about the School Board’s latest review of the Master Facility Plan.