• Frequently Asked Questions


    How can I enroll my child at LaVilla?

    • Students throughout Duval County may participate in LaVilla’s audition process. Parents should complete the LaVilla Online Application on our Home Page as well as submit a Magnet Application through the FOCUS portal. We encourage parents and students to attend a school tour to learn more about the lottery process and how to apply.

    Are tours available?
    • We offer several tour dates for those interested in applying to attend LaVilla. Please check back throughout the year or call 904-633-6069 for more information about tour dates.  You may choose one of these dates to visit our school and get full information on how to apply for admission.  Admittance to LaVilla is by lottery. If you are interested in touring our school, be aware of the tour dates. Unfortunately, we cannot do tours at other times. Please arrive early. Reservations are not available, and tours are filled on a first come, first serve basis.
    When are auditions?
    • LaVilla Placement Auditions are held in January or February before the next school year. For more information, please consult our admissions/tours page.
    What is involved in an audition?
    • The audition process varies for each arts area. Please consult our admissions/tours page for details.

    Is the Gifted/ESE program available?

    • LaVilla offers academic programs at all levels. Many exceptional education students are mainstreamed into classes where teachers strive to individualize instruction where appropriate.

    How are the students chosen?

    • Admittance to LaVilla is by lottery. 
    • The first pick of the lottery is sixth grade students of active duty military families. 7th and 8th grade students of military families must audition.
    • The second lottery pick is students who have attended one of our magnet elementary feeder schools (Brentwood, Fishweir, Lake Forest, Martin Luther King, and Pine Forest)
    • The third lottery pick is neighborhood students who attend our magnet feeder schools and have been auditioned by our arts team and have passed an audition a seat in more advanced level arts sections.
    • The fourth lottery pick is students who have auditioned at LaVilla and have been accepted for a seat in more advanced level arts sections.
    • The next lottery pick is drawn from all other students who have completed the magnet application indicating LaVilla as a choice.
    • The lottery is drawn in April of each year for the following school year.

    What about transportation?

    • Magnet busses are provided.  For information, please visit the district transportation website  /Page/27759.  Some LaVilla families carpool or drive students themselves.

    Is LaVilla a private school?

    • No, LaVilla is a public magnet school, part of the Duval County district.

    What sort of extra-curricular work is required?

    • Some advanced groups require out of school performances. Arts area directors make students aware of these requirements early in the year.

    What are the hours scheduled at LaVilla?

    • School hours are 8:25-3:20.   After school activities are typically from 3:30-4:55. Please check with the activity coordinator or teacher in advance.

    Is the curriculum of LaVilla different from other public middle schools?

    • The LaVilla curriculum features strong core academics (Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies) as well as a minimum of two class periods for arts area instruction.  There are also elective opportunities such as T.V. Production here at LaVilla. Students are expected to meet and exceed New Performance Standards just as other Duval County students.

    NOTE: BY STATE LAW, MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE ONE SEMESTER OF HEALTH.