History of Bolles

Established in 1933 as a military school for boys in grades 7-12, Bolles dropped its military affiliation in 1962 and became coeducational in 1971. The independent school is governed by a self perpetuating Board of Trustees. The School's balanced college preparatory program combines academics, offerings in the fine and performing arts, athletics, leadership and service opportunities and activities, and a nationally-known college counseling and guidance program. The boarding program complements the coeducational learning environment. After-school activities abound on each campus providing numerous opportunities and areas of interest for students.

Bolles' lower school opened in 1981 with the first kindergarten class, expanding each year until the full Pre-K through Grade 5 lower school was complete. In 1991, the School acquired the Bartram Campus, formerly the all-girls Bartram School, which allowed for the addition of a separate middle school facility and a girls' boarding section. In addition, Bolles opened a campus in Ponte Vedra Beach in 1999 to serve students from the Beaches area in grades Pre-K through 5.

 

The School now enrolls more than 1,700 students with the capacity to host 90 boarding students. An ongoing development program has made possible substantial improvements to its physical plant over the years. The Lower School Whitehurst Campus welcomed the addition of the Treehouse Outdoor Learning Center in 2017. George Hall, a 10,800-square-foot gym and multipurpose building, opened on the Lower School Ponte Vedra Beach Campus in 2018. On the Middle School Bartram Campus, additions have included the Conroy Athletic Center in 2003 and Betsy Lovett Arts Center in 2007. The San Jose Campus includes the additions of the the Peyton Boathouse & Rice Family Crew Complex and the Bent Student Center in 2009 and Tarver Pool and Gund Residence Hall for Girls in 2021.

Bolles Hall, the original structure on the San Jose Campus, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and has been recognized by the Jacksonville Historical Society and the City of Jacksonville.