• What is a Charter School?

    Charter schools are schools that operate independently under a charter contract between a governing board and their local public-school board. They hire their own teachers, design their own academic program and curriculum, and control their own finances.

  • What Must a Charter School Do?

    • Ensure student health and safety is a top priority.
    • Provide a curriculum aligned to Florida Standards.
    • Hire certified teachers.
    • Assess students with Florida’s accountability assessments.
    • Safeguard taxpayer funding and exercise fiscal responsibility.

  • Charter School Oversight

    • The charter school’s non-profit Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for the oversight and success of their school.
    • SLPS, as Charter School Authorizer, reviews sponsor commitment and capacity, charter school applications and contracts, and reviews renewal determination and terminations.
    • As Charter School Authorizer, SLPS follows these three core principles: maintain high standards, uphold school autonomy, and protect student and public interest.

SLPS Charter Schools Parent Representative /
Facilitator for Parent Grievances		 Charter School Report Card
Hillcrest Academy Charter School (K-8) Parent Liaison:
Jennifer Carreno
JCarreno@hillcrestcharterschool.org		 NA- School Opened Aug 2026
Independence Classical Academy
2902 S. Jenkins Rd,
Ft. Pierce, FL 34981-4427
Phone: (772) 837-9300
Director of Operations: Sandy Howard		 Mrs. Kacey Predix
k.predix@icacharter.org
(772) 837-9300		 FLDOE Report Card
Renaissance Charter School of St. Lucie (K-8)
300 NW Cashmere BLVD,
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
Phone: (772) 344-5982
Principal: Melanie Kerrigan		 Parent Liaison:
Deanna Guzmann
(772) 344-5982
Parent Support:
Call CSUSA at (954) 202-3500		 FLDOE Report Card
Renaissance Charter School of Tradition (K-8)
10900 SW Tradition Parkway,
Port St. Lucie, FL 34987
Phone: (772) 236-2180
Principal: Hazel Macias		 Regina Brown
(772) 236-2180
Parent Support:
Call CSUSA at (954) 202-3500		 FLDOE Report Card
Renaissance Tradition Preparatory High School (9-12)
10970 Tradition Parkway,
Port St. Lucie, FL 34987
Phone: (772) 236-7034
Principal: Alyssa Gibson		 Parent Support: 
Call Charter Schools USA at
(954) 202-3500		 FLDOE Report Card
Somerset Academy Bethany (K-5)
500 SW Bethany Dr.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
Phone: (772) 301-1716
Principal: Erika Rains		 Parent Liaison:
Tim Tredor tredor.tim@somersetcollegeprep.org
(772) 343-7028Procedures for Addressing Concerns
Parent Support:
Call Academica at (305) 669-2906		 FLDOE Report Card
Somerset Academy of St. Lucie (K-5)
4402 SW Yamada Dr.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34953
Phone : (772) 281-2300
Principal: Joann Roach		 Procedures for Addressing Concerns
Parent Support:
Call Academica at (305) 669-2906		 FLDOE Report Card
Somerset Career Academy (6-12)
725 NW California Blvd.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
Phone: 772-343-7028
Principal Erika Rains		 Parent Liaison:
Tim Tredor tredor.tim@somersetcollegeprep.org
(772) 343-7028Procedures for Addressing Concerns
Parent Support:
Call Academica at (305) 669-2906		 FLDOE Report Card

 
Somerset College Preparatory Academy High School (6-12)
725 NW California Blvd.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
Phone: 772-343-7028
Principal Erika Rains		 Parent Liaison:
Lucia Hernandez hernandez.lucia@somersetcollegeprep.org  (772) 302-1716Procedures for Addressing Concerns
Parent Support:
Call Academica at (305) 669-2906		 FLDOE Report Card
South Tech Treasure Coast Middle School (6-8)
2810 S. US Highway 1
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
(772) 801-5522		 Parent Liaison:
Nicole Handy
(561) 676-8701		 NA- School Opened Aug 2026
South Tech Treasure Coast Academy (9-12)
2810 S. US Highway 1
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
(772) 801-5522		 Parent Liaison:
Nicole Handy
(561) 676-8701		 NA- School Opened Aug 2026
Treasure Coast School for Autism
4291 SW Darwin Blvd
Port St. Lucie, FL  34953
(772) 446-3816		 Parent Liaison:
Kimberlytta Gayle
Director of Family Services
(561) 533-9917		 NA- School Opened Aug 2026

Dispute Resolution

HB 1557 requires a dispute resolution process to be in place for parents with specific concerns regarding Rule 6A-6.0791, F.A.C..

Step One: Submit Form to Charter School Administrator

Charter school parents will submit a Dispute Resolution Form to the Charter School Administrator.

Step Two: If a school-based resolution is not reached

The form can be submitted to Bridgette Hargadine, SLPS Charter Schools Liaison, at Bridgette.Hargadine@stlucieschools.org.