By: Kayla Edwards
St. Johns Technical High School Program to Transition to New Academy Model
Students currently attending St. Johns Technical High School will soon experience a major transition as the program moves to a new academy model at St. Augustine High School. District leaders say the change is intended to expand access to career and technical education while continuing to support students in a smaller, more personalized learning environment.
The current St. Johns Technical High School program operates on the campus of First Coast Technical College and serves students who often benefit from smaller class sizes and individualized attention. Under the new structure, students will attend St. Augustine High School for their core classes while continuing to participate in career and technical programs through First Coast Technical College.
According to Regional Superintendent for Secondary and Alternative Schools Jay Willets, the change is designed to expand opportunities for students rather than eliminate them.
“The program isn’t shutting down, it’s really being reimagined,” Willets said. “Students who currently attend St. Johns Technical High School will attend St. Augustine High School while continuing their career and technical programming.”
Career and technical education programs allow students to gain hands-on experience, earn industry certifications, and sometimes receive dual enrollment credit while still in high school. District officials say the new academy model will significantly increase access to these opportunities.
Currently, about 20 percent of students graduating from the program receive career and technical education credits or dual enrollment opportunities through First Coast Technical College. With the new academy structure, district officials say those opportunities will expand.
“With this transition, 100 percent of students will have access to those opportunities,” Willets said.
To support students during the transition, the district plans to introduce a “success coach” model. Under this system, four teachers from the current technical high school will serve as mentors who help track students’ academic progress, career pathway development, and graduation requirements.
The smaller environment has long been one of the program’s greatest strengths. Many students enrolled at the technical high school previously attended larger traditional schools and found success in a more individualized setting. However, maintaining smaller programs can present financial challenges for school districts.
“When you have small programs, they can be expensive,” Willets said. “That’s one of the challenges we’re facing in the current financial climate in education.”
Despite the structural changes, district leaders say career and technical education opportunities will remain available for students across St. Johns County.
“We’re not changing the career programming that currently exists,” Willets said. “The only difference is the environment where students take their core classes.”
Students currently enrolled in programs will still have the option to continue their existing career pathways, transition into new technical programs, or return to their home high schools if they choose.
Willets also shared a personal connection to the program, noting that he helped establish the school when it first opened.
“I was actually the founding principal of St. Johns Technical High School when it opened 20 years ago,” he said.
As the transition moves forward, district leaders say their priority is ensuring students continue to receive strong academic and career preparation.
“Our goal with every decision we make is to ensure students benefit from it,” Willets said.
Graphic by Philip Berkwit
