JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Duval County Public Schools has received its first batch of requests from charter school companies to open 'Schools of Hope' in district-owned buildings across the county.

The Schools of Hope program was created nearly eight years ago to open charter schools in areas with persistently low-performing public schools; however, this year, the state legislature passed a law that allows charter schools to open Schools of Hope in surplus, vacant, or unused public school properties.

DCPS recently received notices of intent to use facilities from three companies: Mater Academy, Bridge Prep Academy, and Somerset Academy. Mater Academy is the only state-approved School of Hope operator.

Mater Academy submitted requests to use these 25 facilities:

Some of buildings have alread

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