A Program of Interest is a multi-year, specialized program of elective courses available to full-time students in St. Johns County School District who apply and are accepted to the program.
- Student must be a resident of St. Johns County
- Acceptance into a Program of Interest automatically provides an out-of-zone waiver for students to attend a school other than their zoned school. No separate actions need to be taken to receive an out-of-zone waiver.
- Applications are submitted through Home Access Center (HAC) by the established due dates. For the 2027-2028 school year, the application window opens January 5, 2027, and closes at 5pm on January 25, 2027.
- To apply during the application window, a student must be a full-time, current 5th, 8th, or 9th grade student. Full-time means enrolled in any combination of four or more courses at a St. Johns County School District school, St. Johns County Virtual School, or Dual Enrollment. Students in other grade levels, including rising 11th and 12th grade students currently in the district, are ineligible to apply.
- Each school will determine the number of student seats available in each Program of Interest and may deny entry based on seats available. A weighted lottery system is used when determining placement into a Program of Interest. If seat capacity is met, students are placed on a waiting list automatically. Waiting lists are monitored through July 1, and families are emailed if a seat opens. No students will be taken off a waiting list and placed into a Program of Interest after July 1.
- Each Program of Interest sets expectations for academic progress, attendance and behavior. Should an out-of-zone transfer student not meet such expectations the following actions may be taken:
- The principal of the out-of-zone Program of Interest school may initiate action to rescind a student’s out-of-zone waiver for failing grades, excessive school absences or tardiness and/or discipline problems.
- Prior to rescinding a student’s out-of-zone waiver, the principal or designee will notify the student’s parent/guardian, citing the reason for potential revocation of the out-of-zone waiver.
- The parent/guardian and student will be permitted a reasonable time and opportunity to address or correct the situation.
- If not corrected, the principal will make a recommendation to the Department of Career and Technical Education for revocation of the student’s out-of-zone waiver. The recommendation will be reviewed by the Director for Career and Technical Education, and the family will be notified of the outcome of the review, at which point the decision will be final. In most instances the revocation will be effective at the end of a quarter or semester, after grades have been awarded.
- Escalated infractions (for example Level 3 or 4 infractions) may result in immediate removal from a Program of Interest/Career Academy.
- Mid-year transfers to a new Program of Interest are not allowed.
- To leave a Program of Interest, the student and a parent must sign a Program of Interest Drop Form and submit it to the school’s Career Specialist. A student who drops out of, or ceases to be enrolled in, a Program of Interest for which an out-of-zone waiver has been approved will be required to return to his/her home zoned school at the start of the new semester once credit has been awarded.
- Students may apply for up to 3 programs of study; however, students may only attend academies and/or programs of interest at one school.
- Part-time, private school, charter, home school, FLVS, and non-resident students cannot apply during the application window. District registration opens to all students on March 1, 2027. After enrolling, these students may apply through the Space Available Application, based on seat availability.
- The parents/guardians of students attending an out-of-zone school are required to provide transportation for the student to and from the out-of-zone school.
- Students may not apply for a Program of Interest at an out-of-zone school if the program exists at the student’s zoned high school.
- Students who have applied and been accepted into a Program of Interest at an out-of-zone school and move into a zone where the program exists will need to attend the program at their zoned school.
After You Apply:
Applicants receive a confirmation email, so families should keep email addresses current (students can update theirs in HAC, and parents or guardians through the student’s school). Accepted students are placed automatically and do not need to confirm.
Current Program Students:
Students currently in a Program of Interest continue automatically. No new application or out-of-zone waiver is needed.
Previously Enrolled Students:
Students entering the 10th, 11th or 12th grade who were previously enrolled in an equivalent Program of Interest at their previous school may apply for the equivalent Program of Interest, regardless of school zone, pending district and school approval. Applying does not guarantee acceptance into the Program of Interest.
New students entering St Johns County School District:
Families new to the county are considered for open seats as they become available, subject to district and school approval.
Programs that are replicated in the district:
-
-
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Allen D. Nease High School and Pedro Menendez High School
- Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Program at St. Augustine High School and Beachside High School
- Early College at Tocoi Creek High School and Pedro Menendez High School
- VyStar Academy of Business at Bartram Trail High School and Pedro Menendez High School
- Academies of IT at Bartram Trail High School and Ponte Vedra High School
- Academy of Future Teachers at Creekside High School, Ponte Vedra High School, St. Augustine High School and Tocoi Creek High School
- Academy of Future Healthcare Professionals at Pedro Menendez High School and Tocoi Creek High School
- Communications Academy at Allen D. Nease High School and Creekside High School
-
–