Local Schools Near Island House, Fort Pierce, 34950

Island House is a community located in Fort Pierce, FL, within the 34950 ZIP code. Fort Pierce is part of St. Lucie County, and the schools in this area are primarily managed by the St. Lucie Public Schools district. Below, I’ll provide information on the schools near the Island House community, including public and private options, along with their ratings based on available data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings are often based on test scores, student progress, college readiness, and other factors. Keep in mind that ratings can vary depending on the source and may change over time, so I recommend verifying the most current information directly with the schools or district.

Location Context

Island House is situated on Hutchinson Island, a barrier island along the Atlantic Coast in Fort Pierce. The community is near South Ocean Drive, and schools in the vicinity are generally located on the mainland in Fort Pierce or nearby areas of St. Lucie County. I’ll focus on schools within a reasonable driving distance (approximately 5-15 miles) from Island House.

Public Schools Near Island House (Fort Pierce, FL 34950)

Public schools in this area are part of the St. Lucie Public Schools district. Below are some of the closest schools, categorized by level (elementary, middle, high), with their approximate distance from Island House, ratings, and brief descriptions.

Elementary Schools

1. Lawnwood Elementary School

   • Address: 1900 S 23rd St, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
   • Distance from Island House: Approximately 6-7 miles (via causeway to mainland)
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org, based on test scores and equity)
   • Details: Lawnwood Elementary serves a diverse student population and focuses on core academics. It has faced challenges with test scores below the state average, but it offers various support programs for students.
   • Enrollment: Around 600-700 students (varies yearly)

2. St. Lucie Elementary School

   • Address: 2020 S 13th St, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
   • Distance from Island House: Approximately 6-8 miles
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 2/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: This school serves the central Fort Pierce area and has a focus on improving student achievement. Like many schools in the area, it struggles with standardized test performance but offers community-based programs.
   • Enrollment: Around 500-600 students

   Middle Schools

   1. Dan McCarty Middle School
   2. Address: 1201 Mississippi Ave, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
   3. Distance from Island House: Approximately 6-8 miles
   4. Grade Levels: 6-8
   5. Rating: 2/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   6. Details: Dan McCarty Middle School serves as a feeder school for many local elementary schools. It has programs aimed at student engagement but faces challenges with academic performance compared to state averages.
   7. Enrollment: Around 800-900 students

3. Forest Grove Middle School

   • Address: 3201 S 25th St, Fort Pierce, FL 34981
   • Distance from Island House: Approximately 8-10 miles
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Located slightly further south, this middle school offers a range of extracurricular activities and academic support. Test scores are below average, but there are efforts to improve student outcomes.
   • Enrollment: Around 900 students

   High Schools

   1. Fort Pierce Central High School
   2. Address: 4101 S 25th St, Fort Pierce, FL 34981
   3. Distance from Island House: Approximately 9-11 miles
   4. Grade Levels: 9-12
   5. Rating: 4/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   6. Details: This is one of the primary high schools serving the Fort Pierce area. It offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, career and technical education programs, and extracurriculars. Graduation rates and test scores are mixed compared to state averages.
   7. Enrollment: Around 2,500-3,000 students

4. Fort Pierce Westwood Academy

   • Address: 1801 Panther Ln, Fort Pierce, FL 34947
   • Distance from Island House: Approximately 10-12 miles
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Westwood Academy focuses on both academics and career preparation, with programs in areas like health sciences and technology. It has a smaller student body compared to Fort Pierce Central.
   • Enrollment: Around 1,500-1,800 students

   Private Schools Near Island House

   Private schools offer alternative education options and may have different admission requirements, tuition costs, and curricula, often with a religious or specialized focus.

5. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Academy

   • Address: 210 S Indian River Dr, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
   • Distance from Island House: Approximately 5-6 miles
   • Grade Levels: PK-12
   • Rating: Not widely rated on GreatSchools; generally well-regarded locally (Niche gives it a B+)
   • Details: This is a private, faith-based school with a strong academic reputation in the Fort Pierce area. It emphasizes college preparation and character development.
   • Tuition: Varies by grade; approximately $8,000-$12,000 per year (contact school for exact figures)
   • Enrollment: Around 200-300 students

6. John Carroll Catholic High School

   • Address: 3402 Delaware Ave, Fort Pierce, FL 34947
   • Distance from Island House: Approximately 8-10 miles
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: B (Niche.com)
   • Details: A Catholic high school offering a faith-based education with a focus on college readiness. It has a good reputation for academics and athletics in the area.
   • Tuition: Around $10,000-$12,000 per year (contact school for details)
   • Enrollment: Around 400 students

   Charter Schools

   Charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently, often with specialized programs.

7. Somerset College Preparatory Academy

   • Address: 725 N US Hwy 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
   • Distance from Island House: Approximately 5-7 miles
   • Grade Levels: K-8
   • Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: This charter school emphasizes college preparation and offers a structured academic environment. It generally performs better than some traditional public schools in the area on standardized tests.
   • Enrollment: Around 500-600 students

   School Ratings Summary

   • Public Schools: Ratings for public schools near Island House (Fort Pierce area) tend to range from 2/10 to 4/10 on GreatSchools.org, reflecting challenges with test scores and academic performance compared to state averages. However, many of these schools offer support programs and extracurriculars to engage students.
   • Private Schools: Private options like St. Andrew’s Episcopal Academy and John Carroll Catholic High School are generally better regarded, with ratings around B or higher on platforms like Niche, though they come with tuition costs.
   • Charter Schools: Somerset College Preparatory Academy offers a middle-ground option with a slightly higher rating (5/10) than most local public schools.

   Additional Notes

   • School Assignment: Public school assignments are based on zoning, so families in Island House should confirm their assigned schools through the St. Lucie Public Schools website (www.stlucie.k12.fl.us) or by contacting the district office at (772) 429-3600. Island House’s location on Hutchinson Island may result in assignments to schools on the mainland.
   • Transportation: Since Island House is on a barrier island, commuting to schools on the mainland (via the South Beach Causeway) is necessary. Check with schools or the district for bus availability.
   • School Choice: St. Lucie County offers school choice programs, allowing students to apply to schools outside their zoned area if space is available. Magnet programs and charter schools are also options.
   • Ratings Variability: School ratings are subjective and based on limited metrics. Visiting schools, meeting with administrators, and reviewing recent performance data from the Florida Department of Education (www.fldoe.org) can provide a fuller picture.

   How to Research Further

   • St. Lucie Public Schools Website: www.stlucie.k12.fl.us (includes school finder tools and zoning maps)
   • GreatSchools.org: For detailed ratings, reviews, and test score data
   • Niche.com: For parent and student reviews, as well as private school rankings
   • Florida Department of Education: For official school report cards and accountability data

   If you have specific needs (e.g., special education programs, extracurricular preferences, or a particular grade level), let me know, and I can narrow down the options or provide more targeted information. Would you like me to look into a specific school or type of program?