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The Application Process

The 2025-2026 High School Acceleration Program Application may be completed through the Focus Parent Portal Account. 

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The application will be available beginning Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 8:00 AM.  It will close at 11:59 PM on Thursday, January 16, 2025.  Parents may access the application by logging into their Focus Parent Portal account. On the left-hand side select your Grade 8 child. Then select "High School Acceleration Programs Application."

 

On the application, parents may make up to two (2) choice selections, however, they may choose to make one (1) selection only. Parents should be sure that if a second selection is made, it is a selection that both the parent and the child will be happy with should a seat be offered.

 

Parents/Guardians should read the application carefully. Review the pre-populated information and verify that their address is correct in Focus. If the address is incorrect, parents may correct the address through their child’s current middle school by providing two proofs of address in person or via email. Address changes cannot be made at the District office.

 

Important Dates

  • Sunday, December 1, 2024: HSAP application opens at 8:00 AM in the Focus Parent Portal

  • Thursday, January 16, 2025:  HSAP application closes at 11:59 PM

  • Friday, February 14, 2025: Decision notifications will be sent to the email address associated with the Focus Parent Portal Account used to complete the application

  • Friday, February 21, 2025: Parents who do not wish for their child to participate in the program in which they have been accepted must cancel seat offered by 4:30 PM through their Focus Parent Portal Account.

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Evaluation Criteria

In order to be considered for an acceleration program students must meet all of the following criteria. Applicants must 

  • be proficient in Reading based on the Grade 7 FSA, Grade 7 or 8 PSAT, or Grade 7 Achieve 3000;

  • be proficient in Math based on the Grade 7 FSA, Grade 7 or 8 PSAT, or Grade 7 HMH;

  • be enrolled in or have already completed Algebra I; and 

  • earn a minimum of 70 points.

 For each program, applicants that meet all four of the above criteria will be ranked from 100 points down to 70 points and offered seats in that order until seats are filled.

 

Point System

  • 0-36 points – Grade 7 Core Academic Final Grades (English, Math, Science, and Social Studies)

    • A = 9 pts, B = 6 pts, C = 3 pts

  • 0-34 points – Grade 8 Core Academic Grades (Quarter 1 & 2 English, Math, Science, and Social Studies)

    • A = 4.25 pts, B = 3.25 pts, C = 2.25 pts

  • 0-30 points – Standardize Test Scores in both Reading and Math

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Focus Help

Parents that do not have a Focus Parent Portal account may create an account by visiting Technology Services and then following the directions for creating an account. Parents will use their email address and create their own password. Once an account has been created, parents will need to visit their student's middle school within 21 days and present ID for the middle school to approve their Focus Parent Portal account or provide their ID electronically and request approval.

 

Parents that have forgotten their password, have trouble creating a new Focus Parent Portal account, or experience technical issues may contact the Help Desk at (904) 348-7628, (904) 348-5200, or pga_support@duvalschools.org.

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If your child is not currently enrolled in a Duval County Public School OR is without test scores and/or grades in the Duval County Public School system (Focus), you must provide official copies of your child’s standardized test score reports from Grade 7 (or Grade 8 if unavailable), Final Grade 7 Report Card, and Grade 8 Report Card showing Quarter 1 and 2 grades at the time of application submission. Applications missing information will not be processed. If accepted, Non-DCPS students must provide an official transcript once final grades have posted for the school year.

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