Schools Face New Challenges as Summer Break Ends

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Summer vacation is history as a new school year has started in Duval County.

Over the summer, decisions made to save money resulted in a shorter school day at local high schools and middle schools.

Several schools face unique challenges this year as they are designed by the state as on "intervene status" because of their failing performance.

Jackson, Raines and Ribault High Schools, along with North Shore K-8, are being closely monitored by the state.

"It is absolutely a make or break year," said Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals, who visited each of the failing schools on the first day of classes.

Some of the "intervene" schools have new principals and teachers assigned to help improve student performance.

James Young is the new principal at Ribault High, making the jump from the Clay County school district.

Young says on the first day of classes about 50 students who had not planned to return to Ribault decided to come back.

The state affords students the opportunity to transfer from failing to schools to other public schools that have passing grades.

Young says he gave students a pep talk to motivate them to do their best.

"The expectations are very high. We have one year to become a high achieving school," said Young, during a tour of the school with the Superintendent.

If the schools fail to do a better job on the FCAT, the state test, they face possible closure.