JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With school starting in less than a week, Southside Estates Elementary School opened its doors on Thursday, unveiling the 101,000-square-foot campus.
The celebration included an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tour of the campus that will house students from Southside Estates and Windy Hill elementary schools under the consolidation.
“History is being made. It’s an awesome opportunity for the entire Duval County. It allows two students from two separate schools to come together. We’re now one big family,” Principal Teresa Brown said.
RELATED: Community honors Windy Hill Elementary’s legacy during sendoff
Southside Estates Elementray opens new campus on Thursday (WJXT)
The school can hold anywhere between 900 to 1,000 students and includes a computer lab, a multipurpose cafetorium, and four playgrounds for students to enjoy.
“This building reflects the passion and commitment that you bring every day,” DCPS Superintendent Christopher Berneir said in his message to teachers. “You have purpose and impact, and you will find it here in this building.”
Southside Estates Elementray opens new campus on Thursday (WJXT)
One parent who moved from north Jacksonville to the Southside said she was anticipating new beginnings for her daughter.
“It’s really nice having a new school because she’s never got to experience that before, and I think it will be good for her because she didn’t have a good experience at any of her other schools,” Avery Spence said.
Nova Glover, Spence’s daughter, admitted she was excited but a little nervous.
“She’s excited about meeting new friends,” her mom said. “She’s just had a bad experience at other schools with bullying, so she’s kind of nervous to get back into school. I think everything will go good, moving to this side of town and being around a better environment.”
Berneir also shared a message to the students gearing up for the upcoming school year, which starts on Monday.
“To our students, these walls were built for you to explore, to question, to grow your curiosities, imagine and reach your fullest potential,” he said. “May this be a space where you discover who you are and what you’re capable of becoming.”
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.