Local Schools Near Southern Pines, Fort Pierce, 34950

Southern Pines is a community in Fort Pierce, FL, within the 34950 ZIP code. Fort Pierce is located in St. Lucie County, and the schools serving this area are primarily part of the St. Lucie Public Schools district. Below, I’ll provide information on the schools near the Southern Pines community, including 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 checking the most current data or visiting the schools for a firsthand impression.

I’ll focus on public schools within or near the 34950 ZIP code, as well as any notable private or charter options. Since "near" can be subjective, I’ll include schools within a reasonable distance (approximately 5-10 miles) of central Fort Pierce, where Southern Pines is located. If you have a specific radius in mind, let me know!

Public Schools Near Southern Pines, Fort Pierce, FL (34950)

Elementary Schools

1. Lawnwood Elementary School

   • Address: 1900 S 23rd St, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
   • Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles from central Southern Pines
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org, based on test scores and student progress)
   • Details: Lawnwood Elementary serves a diverse student population and focuses on foundational skills. It has programs for student support but faces challenges with test scores below state averages.
   • Enrollment: ~600 students
   • Additional Info: Offers after-school programs and community partnerships.

2. St. Lucie Elementary School

   • Address: 2020 S 13th St, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
   • Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles from Southern Pines
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 2/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: This school serves a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students. It has lower-than-average test scores but offers intervention programs to support student growth.
   • Enrollment: ~500 students
   • Additional Info: Focuses on literacy and math improvement initiatives.

3. Chester A. Moore Elementary School

   • Address: 827 N 29th St, Fort Pierce, FL 34947 (near 34950)
   • Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles from Southern Pines
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Similar to other local elementary schools, it faces challenges with academic performance but provides a nurturing environment with extracurricular options.
   • Enrollment: ~500 students

   Middle Schools

   1. Dan McCarty Middle School
   2. Address: 1201 Mississippi Ave, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
   3. Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles from Southern Pines
   4. Grade Levels: 6-8
   5. Rating: 2/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   6. Details: This school serves as the primary middle school for much of central Fort Pierce. It has lower test scores compared to state averages and focuses on student intervention and support programs.
   7. Enrollment: ~800 students
   8. Additional Info: Offers sports and some elective courses.

4. Forest Grove Middle School

   • Address: 3201 S 25th St, Fort Pierce, FL 34981 (slightly outside 34950)
   • Distance: Approximately 4-5 miles from Southern Pines
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Slightly better performance than Dan McCarty in some areas, with a focus on STEM programs and extracurricular activities.
   • Enrollment: ~900 students

   High Schools

   1. Fort Pierce Central High School
   2. Address: 4101 S 25th St, Fort Pierce, FL 34981 (near 34950)
   3. Distance: Approximately 4-5 miles from Southern Pines
   4. Grade Levels: 9-12
   5. Rating: 4/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   6. Details: This is one of the main high schools serving Fort Pierce. It offers a range of academic programs, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses, career and technical education, and sports. Graduation rates are near the state average, though test scores lag behind.
   7. Enrollment: ~2,700 students
   8. Additional Info: Known for a strong athletics program and community involvement.

5. Fort Pierce Westwood Academy: The WEST Prep Magnet

   • Address: 1801 Panther Ln, Fort Pierce, FL 34947 (near 34950)
   • Distance: Approximately 3-4 miles from Southern Pines
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: This school offers specialized programs in arts and sciences, aiming to prepare students for college and careers. It has a smaller student body compared to Fort Pierce Central.
   • Enrollment: ~1,400 students
   • Additional Info: Focuses on personalized learning and magnet programs.

   Charter Schools Near Southern Pines

   1. Somerset College Preparatory Academy
   2. Address: 725 N US Hwy 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
   3. Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles from Southern Pines
   4. Grade Levels: K-12
   5. Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   6. Details: A public charter school with a focus on college readiness and smaller class sizes. It generally performs better than traditional public schools in the area on standardized tests.
   7. Enrollment: ~800 students
   8. Additional Info: Offers a rigorous curriculum and extracurricular activities.

   Private Schools Near Southern Pines

   1. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Academy
   2. Address: 210 S Indian River Dr, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
   3. Distance: Approximately 2 miles from Southern Pines
   4. Grade Levels: PK-12
   5. Rating: Not rated on GreatSchools.org, but highly regarded locally (Niche rating: A-)
   6. Details: A private, faith-based school offering a strong academic program with an emphasis on character development and college preparation. Tuition is required.
   7. Enrollment: ~300 students
   8. Additional Info: Small class sizes and a focus on individualized attention.

6. John Carroll Catholic High School

   • Address: 3402 Delaware Ave, Fort Pierce, FL 34947
   • Distance: Approximately 3 miles from Southern Pines
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: Not rated on GreatSchools.org, but well-regarded (Niche rating: B+)
   • Details: A Catholic high school with a focus on academic excellence and spiritual growth. Offers AP courses and extracurriculars.
   • Enrollment: ~400 students
   • Additional Info: Tuition-based with financial aid options.

   School Ratings Summary

   • Public Schools: Ratings for public schools in and near the 34950 ZIP code generally 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 help students succeed.
   • Charter Schools: Somerset College Preparatory Academy stands out with a slightly higher rating (5/10) and a focus on college prep.
   • Private Schools: Options like St. Andrew’s Episcopal Academy and John Carroll Catholic High School are well-regarded locally, with strong academic reputations, though they require tuition.

   Additional Notes

   • School Zoning: School assignments in St. Lucie County are based on residential address. To confirm which public school your child would attend, you can use the St. Lucie Public Schools’ School Locator tool on their website (www.stlucieschools.org) or contact the district at (772) 429-3600.
   • Transportation: Public schools typically provide bus services within designated zones. Charter and private schools may have different transportation policies.
   • Ratings Variability: Ratings are based on data available as of my last update (October 2023). For the most current information, check GreatSchools.org, Niche.com, or the Florida Department of Education’s school report cards.
   • Community Context: Fort Pierce, including the Southern Pines area, has a diverse population with a significant percentage of economically disadvantaged families, which can impact school performance metrics. Many schools are working on improvement plans to address these challenges.

   If you’d like more detailed information about a specific school, such as programs offered, recent performance data, or parent reviews, or if you’re interested in schools outside this radius, please let me know! I can also help with contact information for school tours or enrollment processes.