St. Lucie County schools open Aug. 10 with new Tradition Lakes K-8 campus and AI courses

St. Lucie County Public Schools will open for students on Aug. 10 with enrollment expected to hold steady at 42,505 students, though the district is adding new facilities and programs. Tradition Lakes K-8 will welcome students in western St. Lucie County as the district's newest campus, serving the Tradition area where population growth has been expanding. Superintendent Jon Prince said enrollment is projected to remain flat this year after the district lost 150 students last year instead of gaining the 350 projected by the state, costing around $14 million in state and federal funding.

The district's tentative budget is $1.07 billion, nearly $60 million less than last year's final budget. Prince said the district made significant cuts, most at the district level rather than directly impacting schools, and no staff were laid off but were instead moved to other positions. Despite the budget reduction, the district is adding two new artificial intelligence courses at Legacy High School this year.

Over the past seven years, enrollment in St. Lucie County Public Schools has increased by 7 percent, but Prince attributes this year's plateau to more families choosing homeschooling or private schools. Families are already preparing for the first day. Parent Jovani Taylor said he has been purchasing school supplies, books and clothing for his daughter Jayla, who will be starting fourth grade. Another parent, Julia Lopez, said her daughter will be starting VPK and noted the district's growth, saying she sees schools like almost every corner.

Prince said the district expects as many as 1,600 students at Tradition Lakes K-8 on opening day, with many families benefiting from the school's convenient location in an area of very expansive growth. Principal Latanya Greene said the school's motto is 'Traditions begin here,' reflecting the focus on building a foundation of achievements and accomplishments. Greene said success will be measured not only by academics but also by the sense of community created during the school's inaugural year.