5 Shocking Facts And Latest 2025 Updates On Loretto Elementary School Jacksonville FL
Loretto Elementary School in Jacksonville, FL, stands as one of Duval County’s longest-standing educational institutions, blending a rich history with a commitment to modern academic excellence. As of the current 2025 school year, the school continues its tradition of high performance while navigating a series of unexpected events that have drawn significant community attention.
Serving the Mandarin area, Loretto Elementary is a vital hub for hundreds of families, offering a comprehensive educational experience from Prekindergarten through Fifth Grade. The school is consistently recognized for its strong academic programs and dedicated staff, making it a highly sought-after school within the Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) district.
Loretto Elementary School: A 2025 Profile and Leadership Biography
Loretto Elementary School, located in the bustling Mandarin area of Jacksonville, Florida, maintains a reputation as a high-performing public elementary school. It is one of the oldest school sites in the region, with roots dating back to 1893, and its campus at 3900 Loretto Road reflects a proud legacy of community-focused education.
- School Name: Loretto Elementary School (LES)
- District: Duval County Public Schools (DCPS)
- Address: 3900 Loretto Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32223-2098
- Grades Served: Prekindergarten (PK) through 5th Grade
- Enrollment: Approximately 1,030 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 16 to 1
- Current Principal (2025): Matt Walker
- Assistant Principal: Stacy Bradley
- Historical Note: The school has been in existence since 1893, representing one of the longest-standing school sites in Duval County.
Principal Matt Walker: Mr. Walker serves as the proud new Principal, committed to upholding the school’s rich history and fostering an environment where every student can reach their full potential. His leadership focuses on creating dynamic, interactive learning environments alongside the dedicated teaching staff.
Top 5 Recent Incidents and Key Academic Achievements
The 2024-2025 school year has been marked by a blend of high-profile community news and significant academic milestones, keeping Loretto Elementary in the spotlight. These events underscore the dedication of the staff, even when faced with unexpected challenges, while celebrating the students' success.
1. Top 20% Ranking in Florida and Strong Proficiency Scores
Loretto Elementary is consistently recognized as a top-tier institution within the state. For the 2025-2026 school year, the school is ranked within the top 20% of all public schools in Florida. This high ranking is a testament to its strong academic performance.
State test scores reflect this success, with 74% of Loretto students demonstrating proficiency in Mathematics. The school’s commitment to differentiated, standards-based instruction across all core subjects—Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies—is a key driver of these results.
2. Teacher Nominated for 2025 Duval County Teacher of the Year
A major point of pride for the Loretto community is the nomination of one of its educators, Kimberly Niebauer, for the prestigious VyStar 2025 Duval County Teacher of the Year award. This nomination highlights the exceptional quality of the teaching staff and their dedication to inspiring students.
Such recognition reinforces the school’s reputation for having passionate and highly effective teachers who go above and beyond to support student growth and achievement.
3. School Evacuation Due to Gas Leak
In a recent and concerning incident that required immediate action, Loretto Elementary was evacuated due to a gas leak on campus. Duval County Public Schools swiftly communicated with families to assure them that all students and staff were safe during the emergency.
This event demonstrated the school’s emergency response protocols and the quick coordination between school administration and local authorities to ensure the safety of the entire school population.
4. Loaded Weapon Found in Student's Backpack
A highly sensitive and alarming event occurred when a loaded gun was discovered in a student's backpack on the Loretto campus. This incident, which was widely reported by local news outlets, immediately triggered an investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
While such an event is deeply troubling for any community, the swift discovery and handling of the situation are a critical component of the school’s commitment to safety and the FortifyFL-Logo initiative, which encourages reporting of potential threats.
5. Uninvited Man Found on Campus Before School Hours
In a "unique start to the day," school staff arriving to open the campus for the Extended Day program discovered an uninvited man on the premises before any students had arrived. The incident was quickly managed by staff and reported to the authorities.
The message sent to Loretto families emphasized that the event occurred before students were present, highlighting the security measures and vigilance of the school’s personnel during early morning hours.
Academic Excellence and Student Programs at Loretto
Beyond the headlines, Loretto Elementary’s core mission is centered on academic rigor and providing a well-rounded education. The school offers several key programs and instructional focuses that contribute to its high ranking and student success.
The Focus on Differentiated Instruction and Core Curriculum
Loretto is committed to providing differentiated, standards-based instruction to meet the unique needs of its diverse student body. The curriculum is robust, covering all essential subjects and ensuring students receive a high-quality foundation for future learning.
The school’s academic approach also integrates the multimedia learning process, starting in Kindergarten and building through the Fifth Grade, preparing students for a technology-driven world.
Gifted Program and Honor Society
For advanced learners, Loretto Elementary proudly provides a dedicated Gifted Program. This program offers specialized instruction and an accelerated curriculum designed to challenge and engage students who demonstrate exceptional academic abilities.
Furthermore, the school fosters leadership and responsibility through the National Elementary Honor Society. Fifth-grade students who excel academically and demonstrate exceptional character are invited to join this prestigious organization, promoting scholarship, responsibility, and service within the school community.
Specialty Classes and Enrichment Activities
Loretto’s commitment to a holistic education extends to its specialty classes, ensuring students receive exposure to the arts and physical wellness. These programs include:
- Music Education
- Visual Arts
- Computer Science / Technology
- Physical Education (P.E.)
These enrichment activities are crucial for developing creativity, teamwork, and healthy habits, complementing the core standards-based instruction in subjects like Math and Language Arts. The combination of strong academic results, a focus on student safety, and a variety of enrichment programs solidifies Loretto Elementary School's position as a premier educational choice in the Jacksonville area.
Detail Author:
- Name : Prof. Israel VonRueden
- Username : bernita.roob
- Email : alanna.torp@grant.com
- Birthdate : 1986-05-10
- Address : 988 Labadie Mountain Apt. 670 New Celia, WV 66784
- Phone : +19198893638
- Company : Walsh, Gislason and Baumbach
- Job : Mixing and Blending Machine Operator
- Bio : Rem totam similique ipsa odio quisquam. Quam consectetur qui architecto quas deserunt laboriosam. Nam est quam laborum quia aut.
Socials
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/percival.wolf
- username : percival.wolf
- bio : Ea ipsam rerum debitis perferendis quod enim aut omnis.
- followers : 3663
- following : 2298
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@percival_id
- username : percival_id
- bio : Fugit amet fugiat dolorum ipsam laboriosam.
- followers : 1285
- following : 2046
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/percival_wolf
- username : percival_wolf
- bio : Iste accusamus reprehenderit non numquam.
- followers : 6638
- following : 1741
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/pwolf
- username : pwolf
- bio : Alias soluta ut et fugit. Repellendus id possimus fugit adipisci. Ut qui autem sed quia.
- followers : 227
- following : 1805
