Student Assignment Process

The district offers regional school zones rather than neighborhood schools. This assignment process allows for preference to be given to families who have siblings currently attending the school or live within two miles of a school. It also enables the district to offer more choices to parents and best utilize school facilities. Unlike many high-growth school systems, we do not have to re-district when an area grows beyond the capacity of the school in that neighborhood.

Elementary and Middle Schools are divided into three zones, with Midway Road and Florida's Turnpike being the dividing lines, each including portions of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie. The Green Zone is north of Midway Road, the Blue Zone is south of Midway Road and East of Florida's Turnpike, and the Red Zone is south of Midway Road and west of Florida's Turnpike. High schools have an extra Midway Overlay Zone. See the zone map and/or utilize the school search for more information. All zones contain several elementary schools, middle schools, and two high schools.

The Benefits of School Choice

• Once a student is assigned to a school he/she does not have to leave unless the family chooses to change schools or the family moves into another choice zone.
• Fair to all students, allowing them equal opportunity to select from all schools within their zone.

How to Receive a School Assignment for Your Child

• If your child is new to the St. Lucie County School District, you must complete an application for your child. Applications are available at the Student Assignment Office located at 4204 Okeechobee Road, Fort Pierce, at any school in the district, or on-line.
• Students who are moving from elementary to middle school, or middle school to high school within the district must complete an application for a school assignment.
• Students who move from one zone to another zone within the district must complete an application for their new school zone.
• The chances of receiving one of your top choice schools will improve by participating in the first application period.
• Once the application period ends, assignments are computer generated. Each application is sorted by giving priority to siblings wanting to attend the same school, and students living within proximity areas around each school.
• Students who do not receive their first or second choice are placed on the wait list for their first choice school and are notified if a vacancy opens in their grade level. Once school begins, students must attend their assigned school in order to remain active on the wait list. The waitlist is active from the date that it is completed until the end of the first nine weeks.

Application Periods

There are two application periods between February and March for the upcoming school year. The first application period for High School occurs the first three weeks in February. Elementary and Middle School occur in March. Students entering school or switching schools during the current year are handled on an individual basis through the Student Assignment Office.

School Assignment Application Requirements

Any parent or guardian registering students in the St. Lucie County School District for the first time must bring the following documents when visiting a school or the Student Assignment Office. Assignments cannot take place without all of these documents:

• Original birth certificate
• Social Security Card (if available)
• Proof of custody (if the child is not living with both natural parents).
• Name and address of last school attended
• Copy of Individual Education Plan (IEP) if your child is in an Exceptional Education Program
• Proof of Residency (Just one of the following documents is required):
  -Electric, water, or land-line telephone bill (showing parent/guardian name and physical address)-within 30
  days
  -Signed lease agreement-within 60 days
  -Mortgage coupon/letter (if you are building or buying a home)-within 30 days
  -Official rent receipt-within 30 days
  • Living with relatives or friends: contact Student Assignment.

Final Step

After the assignment process has been completed, parents must enroll their children at the assigned schools by providing the above documentation along with the following:

• Health Examination (physical) The exam must be dated within 12 months prior to enrollment. Not required for students transferring from any Florida public or private school, if the requirement has already been met.
• Florida Certificate of Immunization (original blue card). If you have moved from another state, you will need to take your current immunization record to the St. Lucie County Health Department (5150 NW Milner Dr, Port St Lucie, FL 772-462-3800), to your doctor, or to a clinic.
• Assignment postcard.

Required Age to Start School

Under state law:

• Kindergarten - Your child must be 5 YEARS OLD on or before SEPTEMBER 1.
• First Grade - Your child must be 6 YEARS OLD on or before SEPTEMBER 1 and must have attended kindergarten.
• Note: There is no early entrance for kindergarten or first grade students.
• VPK - Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program: Your child must be 4 YEARS OLD on or before SEPTEMBER 1. Please call the Early Learning Coalition at 772-595-6424 ext. 122 for information or go to www.elcslc.org