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
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		 Melanie Kerrigan
(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: Amanda Wilson		 Hazel Macias
(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: Christiana Coburn		 Mandy Evans
Mandij1149@gmail.com
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		 Procedures 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 College Preparatory Academy High School (6-12)
725 NW California Blvd.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
Phone: 772-343-7028
Principal Erika Rains		 Procedures for Addressing Concerns
Parent Support:
Call Academica at (305) 669-2906		 FLDOE Report Card
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.