Local Schools Near Garden Villas of Gator Trace, Fort Pierce, 34982

The community of Garden Villas of Gator Trace is located in Fort Pierce, FL, within the 34982 ZIP code. This area falls under the jurisdiction of St. Lucie County Public Schools, and there are several schools nearby that serve the community. Below, I’ll provide information on the schools closest to this area, including their ratings, based on data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings are typically based on academic performance, test scores, student-teacher ratios, and parent reviews. Keep in mind that ratings can vary depending on the source and may change over time, so I recommend checking the most current data or visiting the schools for a firsthand impression.

Location Context

Garden Villas of Gator Trace is part of the Gator Trace Golf and Country Club community, located in southern Fort Pierce, near the intersection of US-1 and Edwards Road. The schools listed below are assigned based on zoning for this area or are within a reasonable driving distance (approximately 5-10 miles). School zoning can change, so it’s a good idea to confirm with the St. Lucie County School District for the most up-to-date assignments.

Public Schools Near Garden Villas of Gator Trace

The following schools are zoned for or near the 34982 area. Ratings are primarily sourced from GreatSchools.org (on a scale of 1-10) and supplemented with information from Niche or Florida Department of Education school grades (A-F scale) where available.

1. Weatherbee Elementary School

   • Address: 800 E Weatherbee Rd, Fort Pierce, FL 34982
   • Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles from Gator Trace
   • Grade Levels: PreK-5
   • Rating: 4/10 (GreatSchools.org); C (Florida DOE School Grade, 2022-2023)
   • Overview: Weatherbee Elementary serves a diverse student population and focuses on core academics with some extracurricular activities. Test scores are below the state average in math and reading, but the school has programs aimed at improving student performance.
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 16:1
   • Enrollment: Around 600-700 students

2. Forest Grove Middle School

   • Address: 3201 S 25th St, Fort Pierce, FL 34981
   • Distance: Approximately 4-5 miles from Gator Trace
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org); C (Florida DOE School Grade, 2022-2023)
   • Overview: Forest Grove Middle offers a range of academic and elective courses. Test scores are below state averages, and the school has faced challenges with student proficiency in key subjects. However, it provides extracurriculars like sports and clubs.
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 18:1
   • Enrollment: Around 800-900 students

3. Fort Pierce Central High School

   • Address: 4101 S 25th St, Fort Pierce, FL 34981
   • Distance: Approximately 5-6 miles from Gator Trace
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: 4/10 (GreatSchools.org); C (Florida DOE School Grade, 2022-2023)
   • Overview: Fort Pierce Central High is a large public high school with a variety of academic programs, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses and career-focused tracks. Graduation rates are near the state average, but test scores lag behind in some areas. The school offers numerous sports and extracurricular activities.
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 20:1
   • Enrollment: Around 2,500-2,700 students

   Alternative Public School Options

   St. Lucie County operates magnet and charter schools that may be accessible to residents of Garden Villas of Gator Trace through application or lottery systems. Here are a couple of notable options nearby:

4. St. Lucie West Centennial High School (Magnet Option)

   • Address: 1485 SW Cashmere Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
   • Distance: Approximately 8-10 miles from Gator Trace
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org); B (Florida DOE School Grade, 2022-2023)
   • Overview: Located slightly farther away in Port St. Lucie, this high school offers strong academic programs and higher test scores compared to Fort Pierce Central. It may require an application or specific zoning considerations.
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 22:1
   • Enrollment: Around 2,500 students

5. Somerset College Preparatory Academy (Charter School)

   • Address: 725 NW California Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
   • Distance: Approximately 7-9 miles from Gator Trace
   • Grade Levels: K-12
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org); B (Florida DOE School Grade, 2022-2023)
   • Overview: This charter school offers a college-prep curriculum with smaller class sizes and a focus on academics. Admission is typically through a lottery system.
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 18:1
   • Enrollment: Around 800-1,000 students

   Private Schools Near Garden Villas of Gator Trace

   For families seeking private education, there are a few options within a reasonable distance. Private school ratings are less standardized but are often based on parent reviews and academic reputation.

6. John Carroll Catholic High School

   • Address: 3402 Delaware Ave, Fort Pierce, FL 34947
   • Distance: Approximately 6-7 miles from Gator Trace
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: Generally well-regarded; 4.5/5 (Niche parent reviews)
   • Overview: A Catholic high school offering a faith-based education with a focus on college preparation. It has a strong reputation for academics and extracurriculars. Tuition applies.
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 12:1
   • Enrollment: Around 400 students
   • Tuition: Approximately $10,000-$12,000 per year (varies; check with school)

7. St. Anastasia Catholic School

   • Address: 401 S 33rd St, Fort Pierce, FL 34947
   • Distance: Approximately 5-6 miles from Gator Trace
   • Grade Levels: PreK-8
   • Rating: Positive parent feedback; 4/5 (Niche reviews)
   • Overview: A Catholic elementary and middle school providing a faith-based curriculum with an emphasis on core academics and character development. Tuition applies.
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 10:1
   • Enrollment: Around 500 students
   • Tuition: Approximately $6,000-$8,000 per year (varies; check with school)

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Variability: Ratings from GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida DOE may differ due to varying criteria. GreatSchools focuses heavily on test scores, while Florida DOE grades incorporate graduation rates, learning gains, and other factors. Parent reviews on Niche provide a more subjective perspective.
   • School Zoning: The schools listed as zoned (Weatherbee Elementary, Forest Grove Middle, Fort Pierce Central High) are based on current St. Lucie County zoning maps for the 34982 area. Zoning can shift, so verify with the St. Lucie County School District (https://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/) or by calling their zoning office.
   • Charter/Magnet Schools: These often require applications or lotteries and may have different enrollment deadlines. Check directly with the schools for availability.
   • Private Schools: Tuition costs are estimates and may vary based on grade level, financial aid, or parish membership (for Catholic schools). Contact schools for exact figures and admission processes.

   How to Research Further

   • St. Lucie County School District Website: https://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/ - Use the “School Locator” tool to confirm zoning.
   • GreatSchools.org: Search by ZIP code (34982) for updated ratings and parent reviews.
   • Florida Department of Education: Check school grades and performance reports at https://www.fldoe.org/.
   • School Visits: Schedule tours or attend open houses to get a feel for the environment and meet staff.

   If you have specific needs (e.g., special education programs, sports, or arts focus) or would like more details on a particular school, let me know, and I can dig deeper. Additionally, if you’re considering other nearby communities or ZIP codes, I can expand the search.