History of RCSA
History of River City Science Academy
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 successful charter schools in Florida. RCSA is recognized as High Performing Charter School by Florida Department of Education (FLDOE).
History Of RCSA
From a Bold Vision to a Growing School Community
River City Science Academy was founded with a clear purpose: to provide students with a high-quality, tuition-free public charter school education centered on STEM, academic excellence, and character development.
Over the years, RCSA has expanded its campuses, programs, and opportunities while remaining committed to supporting students, families, and communities across Jacksonville.
ACADEMICS
STEM Education Designed for the Future
RCSA combines rigorous academics, hands-on STEM experiences, and character education to prepare students for success in a changing world.
Our Beginning
RCSA began with a commitment to creating a structured, nurturing, and academically challenging learning environment for students.
Growing Across Jacksonville
As family demand increased, RCSA expanded its school network to serve more students across multiple Jacksonville communities.
Building for the Future
Today, RCSA continues to grow through innovative programs, new learning opportunities, and a shared vision for student success.
2025 - High-Performing Schools
2025
- All six RCSA non-profit, STEM-focused, public charter schools reach A-rated and High-Performing status with the Florida Department of Education for the 2024–2025 school year.
2025 - State School of Character
2025
- River City Science Academy Intracoastal was recognized as a 2025 State School of Character
2025 - State District of Character
2025
- River City Science Academy was named a 2025 State District of Character
2024 - All 6 Schools Reaching a Grade
2024
- RCSA Elementary reaching State School of Character, and Middle-High and Mandarin reaching National School of Character.
2023 - The Largest Single Artist Mural in Jacksonville
2023
- Local artist and muralist, Mary Joan Hinson, is commissioned to complete the largest single artist mural in Jacksonville, measuring 250 feet at our Middle-High campus. The process took 2 months to complete and stands as River City Science Academy's ongoing testament to STEM education, inventions and innovation, space exploration, and patriotism.
2023 - August - AP School Honor Roll
2023 - August
- RCSA Middle-High reached AP School Honor Roll Gold and Estimated to reach Platinum for all levels for the 2024-2025 School year.
2023 - U.S. News
2023
- RCSA locations places on the U.S. News "Best Elementary Schools", "Best Middle Schools", and "Best High Schools" lists.
2023 - August - RCSA Southeast
2023 - August
- River City Science Academy receives approval to open their 6th campus, RCSA Southeast. The school opens in August 2023 and serves grades K – 8.
2023 - March - 2022-2023 Schools of Excellence
2023 - March
- RCSA Elementary, RCSA Mandarin and RCSA Middle-High received the School of Excellence status by FLDOE. All six RCSA non-profit, STEM-focused, public charter schools reached an A-rated and High Performing status with the Florida Department of Education from the 2023-2024 school year.
2021 - August - RCSA Innovation Gets an Upgrade!
2021 - August
- RCSA Innovation is moving a block north to a new, upgraded campus with a state-of-the-art gymnasium and recreation area.
2021 - January - Certified State Schools of Character
2021 - January
- RCSA Middle-High and RCSA Mandarin officially became a Florida School of Character! All RCSA Schools have worked diligently to meet the requirements set by Character.org
2020 - August - RCSA Southeast
2020 - August
- RCSA is approved to open their 6th campus, named RCSA Southeast. The school plans to open in August 2022.
2020 - August - RCSA Intracoastal
2020 - August
- River City Science Academy receives approval to open their 5th campus, RCSA Intracoastal. The school opens in August 2021 and serves grades K – 8.
2019 - September - School of Excellence
2019 - September
- RCSA Elementary and RCSA Mandarin are deemed Florida Schools of Excellence for their test scores.
2019 - April - SeaPerch
2019 - April
- RCSA Mandarin made history by placing 2nd place in the regional SeaPerch competition! The team then got to travel to Maryland to compete in the national competition for the first time.
2019 - January - RCSA Earns Five Star School Award
2019 - January
- In January 2019, RCSA Mandarin earned the Five Star School Award from the Florida Department of Education. This award recognizes schools for their community partnerships, family involvement, volunteerism, student community service, and school advisory committee.
2018 - November - Best of Jax
2018 - November
- River City Science Academy is nominated and awarded Folio Weekly’s Best of Jax Award for Best Charter Elementary School, Best Charter Middle School, Best Charter High School in 2018. The following year, RCSA won Best Kindergarten, Best Elementary School, Best Middle School, Best Charter Elementary, Best Charter Middle, and Best Charter High School.
2018 - March - Compete at the National Competition
2018 - March
- In March of 2018, the RCSA Middle-High School competed at the State Science Olympiad Competition in Orlando and took home the gold! The team traveled to Colorado to compete at the National Competition and has begun a great tradition of success in Science Olympiad.
2017 - August - 10 Year Anniversary
2017 - January
- In 2017, RCSA celebrated it’s 10 year anniversary. RCSA has been able to receive great support from the Jacksonville community to allow us to grow and establish themselves as one of the top schools in the area.
2017 - August - RCSA Mandarin
2017 - August
- 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.
2016 - 1st Place in Science Olympiad
2016
- In 2016, the RCSA Elementary Science Olympiad team placed first place for the entire state of Florida.
2014 - August - High-Performing Status
2014 - August
- River City Science Academy received high-performing status from the Florida Department of Education, a distinction granted to charter schools after consecutive years of high test scores and correct financial reporting.
2013 - May - RCSA Class of 2013
2013 - May
- In May of 2013, RCSA graduated its first class of seniors.
2013 - August - RCSA Innovation
2013 - August
- RCSA formed its third campus, RCSA Innovation, in 2013. RCSA Innovation is currently located off of Phillips Hwy near Baymeadows Rd and serves grades K – 8.
2011 - May - Florida STEM & Health Expo
2011 - May
- RCSA produced the 1st Annual Florida STEM & Health Expo, a science festival that has now grown to welcome over 5,000 people annually.
2010 - August - RCSA Elementary School
2010 - August
- 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.
2009 - 2010 - Advanced Accreditation
2009 - 2010
- 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 - August - New Building
2009 - August
- 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 - July - A Grade
2009 - July
- Following the 2008 – 2009 school year, River City Science Academy received an A-grade from the Florida Department of Education, becoming the first charter school in Duval county to receive the distinction.
2007 - August - RCSA Opened Its Doors
2007 - August
- 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 in August 2007, serving grades 6th and 7th.
A History of Growth, Innovation, and Student Success
A History of Growth, Innovation, and Student Success” bölümündeki metin biraz küçük ve yoğun görünüyor. Orayı 2 kısa paragraf yap:
River City Science Academy’s history reflects the dedication of students, educators, families, and community partners who have helped shape the school network over the years.
From its early beginnings to continued campus growth and academic recognition, RCSA remains focused on STEM education, character development, and preparing students for future success.
