JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the new school year begins, thousands of students across Duval County are facing more than just academic challenges. Many don’t know where they’ll sleep tonight—or if they’ll eat again after the school bell rings.
“Right now, in Duval County Public Schools alone, we have over 3,000 students who are homeless,” said Leon Baxton, CEO of Communities in Schools of Jacksonville (CIS).
That number climbs even higher when you include those struggling with food insecurity. Heading into the 2025-2026 school year, approximately 5,500 students in the area are affected, according to CIS…