Courtney Vista Drive Improvements Enhance Access to New Magnolia Oaks Academy in Silverleaf

• 5 August 2026
• Category: Community Well-Being SJC News District 5 Infrastructure
• Tags: 2026

Accelerated roadway project improves safety, connectivity, and school access

St. Johns County recently completed significant roadway improvements to Courtney Vista Drive, enhancing connectivity for residents and supporting safe, efficient access to the newly opened Magnolia Oaks Academy in the Silverleaf community. The Office of Public Affairs produced a video to highlight this important project.

The project creates a more direct route between County Road 2209 and Silverleaf Parkway, improving daily commutes for residents while strengthening critical access for emergency responders. The roadway enhancements come just in time for the start of the 2026-2027 school year, as Magnolia Oaks Academy welcomes approximately 1,300 students on its opening day.

“This project has a meaningful impact on the community,” said Valerie Pacetti, Public Works Project Manager. “Not only does it improve travel times for residents, but it also provides better access for emergency services like police and fire rescue.”

Construction on Courtney Vista Drive was completed in approximately nine months, well ahead of the originally projected 12-month timeline. County staff worked closely with the contractor to accelerate progress and ensure the roadway would be open prior to the start of the school year.

Magnolia Oaks Academy, a new K-8 public school in the Silverleaf master-planned community, represents a major investment in educational infrastructure by the St. Johns County School District. The school will initially serve kindergarten through seventh-grade students and is designed to expand alongside the growing community.

As students and families begin the school year, County officials are encouraging heightened awareness along Courtney Vista Drive and surrounding roadways.

“The first few weeks of school are always busier than normal,” Pacetti said. “Parents are dropping off their children, and many students will be walking or biking. Drivers should be mindful of increased traffic and pedestrians in the area.”

The completion of the Courtney Vista Drive project highlights the strong partnership between St. Johns County and the St. Johns County School District, ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with growth and new educational opportunities.

Magnolia Oaks Academy will offer a range of innovative academic programs, including STEM-focused instruction for elementary students and media production opportunities for middle school students. The school is part of the St. Johns County School District, consistently ranked among the top-performing districts in Florida.

Together, the new roadway improvements and the opening of Magnolia Oaks Academy reflect the County’s continued commitment to building safe, connected communities that support residents, students, and families. These principles support the St. Johns County Strategic Plan priorities of Community Well-Being and Infrastructure.

For more information about St. Johns County Capital Improvement Projects, visit the Featured Projects web page.