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Saint Lucie County superintendent reports gains in test scores and career pathways, previews three school construction projects
Summary
Superintendent Dr. John Prince told the Fort Pierce City Commission the district saw improvements in reading, math and graduation rates and is expanding career and technical education; he also previewed three major school construction projects and invited commission members to a groundbreaking and tours.
Dr. John Prince, superintendent of Saint Lucie County Public Schools, told the Fort Pierce City Commission the district posted improved academic outcomes last school year and is expanding career and technical education tied to local employers.
Prince said third‑grade reading proficiency rose 7 percentage points and proficiency rose across reading, math, science and social studies. He reported a 9‑point increase in middle school students earning high‑school credit through end‑of‑course exams and a 4‑point increase in college‑ and career‑acceleration measures. He told commissioners the district’s graduation rate rose from 92 to 94 percent, marking eight consecutive years of graduation rates in the 90s.
The superintendent said the district is working with the Economic Development Council (EDC) and local employers to align high‑school programs to workforce needs. He described a K–12 approach under the “classrooms to careers” theme: kindergarten awareness, middle‑school exploration and high‑school experiential programs tied to industry certifications and pre‑apprenticeships.
Prince invited commissioners to a planned groundbreaking and tours tied to three construction projects: a new Legacy High School opening in August (Legacy Lions), the Fort Pierce Westwood campus scheduled to open in January 2026, and a new Tradition K‑8 (location near Gatlin/Tradition Boulevard). He said Westwood and Legacy will open on schedule and budget and that the new K‑8 will share fields with an adjacent city park. Prince also said the district is spending about $26 million a year on transportation and is studying bus zones to reduce the bus footprint.
Commissioners praised the district’s performance and discussed potential collaboration. Commissioner Gaines urged commission staff to explore city internships and hiring pipelines for students interested in municipal careers; Prince said he will invite commission members to engage with career and technical education staff. Commissioners also raised safety and pedestrian access concerns for schools within city limits; Prince said the district is prepared to meet with municipal staff to coordinate zoning, sidewalks and traffic mitigations and noted the district’s operations team is already addressing safety and busing zones.
The presentation concluded with commissioners thanking Prince and his board members in attendance.
