The St. Johns County School Board voted Tuesday to move forward with a new high school in the Silverleaf community, a fast‑growing area of the county. The project, identified by the planning codename “JJJ,” is scheduled to open its doors for the 2029‑30 academic year.

Why a New School Is Needed

District Director of Facilities Planning Nicole Cubbedge told board members that many residents question the need for another high school after the recent openings of Tocoi Creek and Beachside. She noted that those two schools are only five and six years old, respectively, and that Silverleaf’s population is expanding at a rate that will soon outpace existing capacity.

Silverleaf, currently about 25% built out, is projected to contain up to 18,000 homes. That level of development will generate enough high‑school‑age students to fill an entire campus, Cubbedge said.

Project Details

The new facility will sit on County Road 16A and is designed to accommodate more than 2,100 students, many of whom will come directly from the Silverleaf neighborhood. The board’s approval authorizes the district to begin detailed construction drawings and to issue bids to contractors.

According to Cubbedge, the school will help reduce overcrowding at nearby schools such as Tocoi Creek, which has already seen enrollment pressures as the county’s population continues to rise.

Community Impact

Local families have expressed strong support for the project, seeing it as a necessary investment in the community’s future. The school is expected to become a hub for extracurricular activities, athletics, and academic programs that reflect the values of traditional families in the area.

Board members praised the district’s proactive approach, emphasizing that expanding educational infrastructure now will avoid the need for costly temporary solutions later.

Next Steps

With the board’s approval, the district will move quickly to finalize construction plans, select a contractor, and begin building. Residents can expect regular updates through public meetings and the district’s website as the project progresses toward its 2029 opening.

The approval of School JJJ underscores St. Johns County’s commitment to providing quality education for a growing population while preserving the community‑focused environment that families value.

Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.