Jacksonville high school out of compliance for 'extremely large classes'

A Jacksonville high school is making changes after an influx of new students left the school out of compliance with state requirements.

Students and parents at Atlantic Coast High School are concerned after increased class sizes.

Laura Mattis, a senior at the school, said the problem is obvious.

"The beginning of the school year is when it all started. It was really overcrowded," Mattis said.

A concerned parent forwarded Action News Jax an email from Atlantic Coast High School principal Debra Lynch.

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The email said that increased enrollment during the fall caused extremely large classes, which were out of compliance with state required class size.

Mattis said more students attending the school forced other students to change their schedules halfway through the school year.

"All of the schedules were getting changed and all of the classrooms are being overcrowded and it was really hard for us to place everyone in a classroom where they wanted to be," Mattis said.

Mattis said her schedule hasn't been impacted, but her classes are a different story.

"The teachers have to teach the new students that just got moved in about what we have been learning and it's just more stress added on to everyone in general," Mattis said.

Action News Jax contacted Duval County Public Schools and a representative said the school admitted more than 150 new students during the fall.

The spokesperson said overcrowding isn't an issue, officials just waited to make changes to class sizes until after the first quarter.

"To ensure a smooth transition and limit the number of modifications, Atlantic Coast High School leadership made sure any students who faced a possible schedule change remained in their classrooms throughout the first quarter," the spokesperson said.

Full statement from the Atlantic Coast High School principal:

Good evening parents,
Increased enrollment this fall at Atlantic Coast High School caused extremely large classes, which were out of compliance with state required class size.  Unfortunately the budgeting process and granting of additional positions includes waiting until FTE is complete, surplus placed from other schools, then going through the interview process to place someone.  When schedules are changed, we try to whenever possible make a lateral change which only changes a minimum number of teachers. All new teachers have experience and are qualified to be in the positions. I apologize for the time the process takes, but we move as quickly as possible when positions are granted. Changes are permanent to bring us into state class size compliance. Thank you for your support."

-Debra Lynch, principal of Atlantic Coast High School

 Statement from Duval County Public Schools:

Overcrowding at Atlantic Coast High School is not an issue as the current utilization is just under 90%; however, more than 150 additional students than originally projected have enrolled over the first quarter. To ensure a smooth transition and limit the number of modifications, Atlantic Coast High School leadership made sure any students who faced a possible schedule change remained in their classrooms throughout the first quarter. Throughout Duval County Public Schools, both district and school leadership monitor enrollment and classroom sizes throughout the entire year, and effectively implement changes as needed to best serve students and meet federal and state legal requirements."

Cox Media Group