The North Florida School of Special Education was founded in 1992 by nine parents as a private school for children with mild to moderate developmental disabilities.  For the first two years the School was located at the South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church and began with three students and two full-time staff.  The School outgrew its location and began leasing space from Hope Haven in 1995.  It moved to Congregation Beth Shalom in September 2002 and began a capital campaign to construct our own building.

In January 2004 North Florida School moved to a new $1.2 million, 9,000 square foot facility.  The Anderson Smith campus of North Florida School sits on 3 acres on Mill Creek Road in the Regency Square area.  The building contains classrooms, offices, a computer lab, library, lunch room, and resource center.

During the 2008-2009 school year, North Florida School’s 63 students range in age from 7-22 years.  We maintain a 5:1 student to teacher ratio in order to better offer quality instruction to individual and small groups.  Our students traditionally have had a range of developmental disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, Lowe syndrome, mental handicaps, genetic disorders, autism, Williams syndrome, Golden Har syndrome, heart conditions, head trauma, obsessive compulsive disorder, seizure disorders, stroke, visual handicaps and fragile X syndrome.

 North Florida School has six academic class levels: Elementary, Middle, Junior High, Senior High, and two Vocational Transition Programs.  Our two Transition Programs prepare older students to become contributing members of our community through vocational and academic studies.  On-site licensed professionals provide Speech, Occupational therapy/Physical therapy, and Social Skills therapy to all of our students.

Our goal is for each student to graduate with the skills to be employable, live independently, experience personal success, and become active employees and citizens in the Jacksonville community.

North Florida School is incorporated and is a registered not-for-profit organization under the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) and is registered with the State Department of Education.   North Florida School welcomes all students regardless of race, creed, color, national origin or religion.