Independent & Secular Schools in Westside, Ortega, Normandy & Lake Shore
8 independent & secular schools are registered with the state in Westside, Ortega, Normandy & Lake Shore, and 2 accept the Florida Private School Scholarship ($8,409 K-3 · $7,821 4-8 · $7,629 9-12 in 2026-27). Everything west of the river and the I-10/I-295 interchange, including Ortega, Normandy Boulevard and the Cecil-side communities. Large Baptist campuses and Catholic high school sit alongside small neighborhood academies.
What does the scholarship mean here? The scholarship is not limited to religious schools. Independent participants receive the same Duval award as a church school, although a few of the area's best-known independents do not carry the participant flag.
| School | Type | Community | Grades | State scholarship | FES-UA / PEP | Accredited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access Hope 23 Jackson Ave. N., Jacksonville 32220 | Independent & Secular Schools | Westside, Ortega, Normandy & Lake Shore | 01-12 | Not listed | — | — |
| Atrium School 4530-15 St. Johns Ave., Jacksonville 32210 | Independent & Secular Schools | Westside, Ortega, Normandy & Lake Shore | K-12 | Not listed | — | — |
| Parks' Place Daycare Learning Center 5500 Shindler Drive, Jacksonville 32222 | Independent & Secular Schools | Westside, Ortega, Normandy & Lake Shore | PK-K | Not listed | — | — |
| Southville Preschool 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd S, Jacksonville 32254 | Independent & Secular Schools | Westside, Ortega, Normandy & Lake Shore | PK-K | Not listed | — | — |
| Strive for Excellence Learning Academy 7595 Wendell Dr., Jacksonville 32210 | Independent & Secular Schools | Westside, Ortega, Normandy & Lake Shore | PK-02 | Not listed | — | — |
| Striving for Excellence Academy 1718 Edgewood Ave N, Jacksonville 32254 | Independent & Secular Schools | Westside, Ortega, Normandy & Lake Shore | K-12 | ✓ FTC/FES-EO | ✓ | — |
| The ARC Jacksonville Academy West 4401 Wesconnett Boulevard, Jacksonville 32210 | Independent & Secular Schools | Westside, Ortega, Normandy & Lake Shore | 12-12 | Not listed | ✓ | — |
| The Science and Math Institute 4640 Ricker Road, Jacksonville 32210 | Independent & Secular Schools | Westside, Ortega, Normandy & Lake Shore | K-12 | ✓ FTC/FES-EO | ✓ | — |
| Question | A listing on this site is | A listing on this site is not |
|---|---|---|
| Where do the facts come from? | A copy of the school's own filing with the Florida DOE | A review, a ranking or an endorsement |
| What does the scholarship flag mean? | The state lists the school as a participant on the pull date | A promise the school has seats or will accept your child |
| What about price? | A reminder to ask the school | A tuition figure, since the state does not collect one |
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