During a joint meeting on Thursday between the Jacksonville City Council and the Duval County School Board, leaders discussed both the district’s academic turnaround and a troubling increase in accidents involving students walking to and from school.

In 2017, 35 Duval County schools — including two charter schools — were graded as the lowest performing in the state. Fast forward to 2025, and the district has made what Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier called “incredible strides.”

Bernier said this year marks the first time Duval County has received an overall “A” grade. He noted that: • More than 99% of schools earned an A, B or C. • The district’s graduation rate has reached a record high of 95.3%. • Student proficiency has improved across 21 tested subject areas.

“There’s n

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