Frequently Asked Questions

The Bolles School nurtures the whole student. We are dedicated to providing students with an exceptional curriculum through extraordinary opportunities in a vibrant, global community while celebrating all beliefs and cultures. As a truly independent school, Bolles has the freedom and flexibility to deliver a rigorous academic experience that prepares students for college and life. Courage, integrity and compassion are an integral part of life at Bolles.

Beyond academics, Bolles provides students with top athletic programs, extensive offerings in the performing and visual arts, and numerous clubs and student driven programs.

Bolles students have a broad range of talents and interests and represent various cultures, ethnicities, religion, nationalities and socio-economic backgrounds. While all of our students are different in many ways, they are academically motivated with an interest in being involved in school activities ranging from  sports and student government to performing and visual arts, and clubs.

Of Bolles’ 295 faculty and staff, 123 hold master’s degrees, and 12 hold doctoral degrees. Continual education and growth is an expectation and Bolles offers robust professional development opportunities. In addition to school-organized activities and events during pre-planning, post-planning and various professional development days throughout the year, all faculty and staff are eligible to apply for additional professional development opportunities including workshops, seminars, conferences, school visits and webinars.

The Ottenstroer Fellowships are a capstone of the School's professional development opportunities. Funded by a grant from Duane and Sue Ottenstroer, the fellowships are awarded annually to members of the Bolles faculty who have had a significant impact on the learning process and have a plan for future improvement. Interested candidates prepare an application describing a project to be funded by the fellowship, usually for summer study or research. Ottenstroer Fellowships are available to teachers at every grade level, and the recipients are chosen each spring by an administrative selection committee.

In lower school, the maximum class size is 20-22.  English classes are limited to 15 in the upper school.  All other classes are typically limited to 20 students.

52% qualified for some form of merit-based award.

Bolles offers around 30 Advanced Placement courses. The exact number varies by year based on student interest and enrollment.

On AP Exams administered in May 2022, 84% of students tested scored 3 or above. Average score on AP exams taken was 3.6.

For a variety of reasons, the starting and ending times of the school day vary from campus to campus.

Lower School Ponte Vedra Beach Campus Hours

• Student drop off begins at 8 a.m.
• PK: 8:15 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• KG - Grade 5: 8:15 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Wednesdays start at 9:15 a.m.

Lower School Whitehurst Campus Hours

• Student drop off begins at 7:45 a.m.
• PK: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• KG - Grade 5: 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
• Wednesdays start at 9 a.m.

Middle School Bartram Campus Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday:

• 7:30-8 a.m. - Student arrival (supervised in dining hall or library)
• 8-8:30 a.m. - Zero Hour: Students are encouraged to go see their teachers during this time for help.
• 8:30 a.m. - Advisory 
• 8:45 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Classes

Wednesday:

• No Zero Hour
• 8:55 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Classes

Upper School San Jose Campus Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday:

• 8-8:30 a.m - Zero Hour: Students are encouraged to go see their teachers during this time for help.
• 8:30 a.m.-3:10 p.m. - Classes

Wednesday:

• 8:45-9:15 a.m. - Zero Hour: Students are encouraged to go see their teachers during this time for help.
• 9:15 a.m.-3:10 p.m. - Classes

Extended Day is available at both of our lower school campuses. Morning Extended Day begins at 7:15 a.m. and students may stay in afternoon Extended Day as late as 5:30 p.m. 

Middle School Extended Day is provided for the safety and security of our students from 3–5:15 p.m. on the Bartram Campus.  Students in extended day must be picked up or on a shuttle bus by 5:15 p.m. The 5:15 p.m. shuttle from the Bartram Campus to the San Jose Campus is available to students who are being picked up at San Jose.  Those students riding the shuttle must be picked up immediately upon arrival at the San Jose campus. 

In lower school, students may participate in the Sharks swim club program and after-school athletic classes are offered through the Advantage Program.

The opportunity to play after-school sports begins in middle school for 6^th grade students. Football is not offered to the middle school students until they begin 7th grade.

Bolles does not offer any merit based scholarships. All financial aid awards are need-based awards. The application and review process takes family circumstances and numerous factors into consideration, resulting in funds distributions to families that may not qualify for other types of financial assistance.

Yes. International students can apply for financial aid through the same process as all other students.

No, Bolles does not accept these types of funds. We do, however, offer significant financial aid opportunities. This affordability program allows the school to remove financial barriers for our families. The application and review process takes family circumstances and numerous factors into consideration, resulting in distribution of funds to families that may not qualify for other types of financial assistance.

As a private, independent school, Bolles does not accept any type of federal or state funding, grants or vouchers. Bolles Board of Trustees has affirmed our school’s desire to remain independent in our operation. However, Bolles offers need-based financial aid to qualified families and remain committed to continue increasing the amount of funds available in order to serve more families.

There are free shuttle buses that transport Bolles middle and upper school students between the San Jose and Bartram Campuses at key times of the day. Additionally, bus transportation is available to many communities in Jacksonville and surrounding areas.

Absolutely! We welcome and encourage Bolles parents and even grandparents to volunteer at Bolles. We have an active and vibrant Parent Association that orchestrates multiple special events during the school year that add to the richness of the Bolles experience. Volunteering is also a great way to make new friends and quickly become part of the Bolles community.

Lower and middle school students wear uniforms which are available through Land’s End. Upper school students do not have a uniform, instead students are expected to follow a dress code. You can view the upper school dress code here.

Children may bring lunch to school or may purchase a school lunch. Healthy and delicious offerings are available for purchase every day in the school cafeteria. Food service at Bolles is provided by FLIK. You can view the daily menus for each campus online.

Lunches are paid for through an account parents set up their child. The accounts operate by a declining balance based on the student’s purchases.

Yes.  Bolles offers students the opportunity to study in a post-graduate year.  Students take a full academic load and participate in activities along with the senior class, including support from the college counseling office. Students may be day or boarding and will receive a certificate of participation at the end of the school year.

We welcome applications to all grades and have many new students enter Bolles each year at a variety of grade levels.

Our lower school campuses offer Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten as the primary entry points, with the addition of a new class each year. While we cannot guarantee the exact number of openings at other lower school grades due to natural attrition, we warmly welcome new students at various levels every year. If you are considering Bolles for your child, we encourage you to apply.

In Middle School, the main entry points are 6th and 7th grades. There are a limited number of spaces available at 8th grade each year.

In Upper School, the main entry point is at 9th grade. There are a limited number of spaces available at the other Upper School grades each year.

Yes, even after the first round of admission decisions are completed, we continue to accept applications for any available openings that may occur as we move into the spring and summer. Once the first round of "fixed date" admission notifications take place, we move into rolling admission for all grade levels.

We encourage families to submit complete applications with all required documents to ensure their child's file is already on hand in case a vacancy opens up. As part of our rolling admission process, classroom visits and readiness testing for Lower school are only arranged when there is available space.

Bolles does not carry the current year’s wait pool over to the next year and does not accept early applications for future academic cycles. The admission process starts fresh every September for the following school year.

No, required admission materials do not need to be submitted at the same time. However, all materials must be submitted by the application deadline for a student’s file needs to be considered complete and included in first round decisions. In order for lower school students to take part in their admission visit/testing, their application needs to be complete with all the required items being submitted before their visit date can be scheduled.

In all grade levels, files must be complete to be considered by the admission committee. Applicants will not be considered for admission without a completed file.

The Bolles lower school experience is equally wonderful at both of our lower school campuses. We encourage families to apply to whichever campus is most convenient for them. Often, families choose the lower school campus that is closest to where they live, but occasionally proximity to work is the main consideration. Although the application requires that you choose a campus of preference, if it truly does not make a difference, you may indicate a first and second choice of campuses to the lower school admission director through an email or phone call. The admission process at both lower school campuses is the same.

• January 26, 2024 - Application Deadline
• January 26, 2024 - Financial Aid Application Deadline
• March 6, 2024 - Admission and Financial Aid Award Decisions Emailed
• March 22, 2024 - Admission Contract/Deposit and Financial Aid Agreement Deadline