MEDIA CONTACTS:
Cara Perry, 772-873-3339, ccarlton@fau.edu
Janice Karst, 772-429-5500, karstj@stlucie.k12.fl.us
Dan Ward, 407-423-8006, dward@thestrategicfirm.com
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (August 10, 2006) – More than 30 acres of land in Tradition have been formally deeded to St. Lucie County Public Schools by Tradition developer Core Communities, paving the way for construction to begin on a new K-8 developmental research laboratory charter school that will operate in partnership with Florida Atlantic University (FAU).
Construction is set to begin this winter on the innovative new school, which is scheduled to open in Tradition in time for the 2008-09 school year.
“After years of planning, we are moving forward with ambitious plans to create a facility that will cement our commitment to educational excellence,” said Superintendent Michael Lannon. “This marks a milestone in our long-term plan to further advance our public schools for the betterment of our region.”
Officials from FAU and St. Lucie County Schools have worked over the last year to develop a viable organizational structure for the school, which will house approximately 1,600 students and 120 teachers and be linked with FAU faculty and researchers to provide students with a unique learning environment.
“This public school will place children and teachers in an environment that focuses on the latest educational research,” said FAU President Frank T. Brogan. “This effort has been a labor of love for leaders such as Superintendent Lannon, Senator Ken Pruitt and the team at Core Communities, all of whom share our commitment to improving educational opportunities for the people of the Treasure Coast.”
A developmental research charter laboratory school is a public school that operates from a contract (or charter) with a state university for a specified time period around specific performance criteria. In addition to providing a platform for innovative teaching methods, a lab school gives teachers and administrators an opportunity to research new educational options by redefining course content, instructional methodology or organizational frameworks.
Teachers will be recruited and assigned as provided for by St. Lucie County Schools’ policies. As a laboratory research school, this school will serve as a training ground for existing and new teachers who serve students throughout the county.
Students for the school will be selected through a demographically-based annual lottery system open to all St. Lucie County residents. Applications for the lottery system will be available beginning in the fall of 2007.
The school site is located in the Northeast quadrant of the 3,005-acre Town of Tradition community under development just west of I-95 at Tradition Boulevard, near to the existing Tradition Square village center and planned corporate park. The community is being developed by Tradition Development Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Core Communities, LLC.
“We’re very proud that Tradition will be home to this groundbreaking facility, which will showcase innovative teaching techniques and provide an outstanding educational environment for area children,” said Core Communities President Pete Hegener. “We believe that under the leadership of St. Lucie County Schools and FAU, this school will become a model for education in Florida.”
A groundbreaking will likely take place this winter.
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