INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County School District is embarking on a significant review of its elementary and middle school attendance zones, a move that could reshape educational landscapes for families across Vero Beach and the wider county. Citing a desire to balance enrollment, maximize facility usage, and continue offering innovative programs, Superintendent David Moore presented the School Board with a comprehensive overview of current capacities and future considerations on October 13.
The discussion highlighted a clear disparity in student distribution across the district’s campuses. While the Indian River County School District as a whole operates at approximately 72% capacity, its popular K-8 schools – Osceola, Rosewood, Fellsmere, and Pelican Island – are significantly over capacity, reaching about 128% enrollment. These sought-after schools, which expanded to include sixth grade in August and plan to add seventh and eighth grades in subsequent years, currently maintain waitlists of children eager to enroll.
Conversely, the district’s traditional middle schools are experiencing a noticeable under-enrollment, utilizing only about 57% of their total capacity. This imbalance has prompted Superintendent Moore to suggest a reevaluation of boundaries for these middle schools, with potential plans to repurpose facilities to better align with the success and demand for the K-8 model.
“We’re not doing this because we’re in a financial crisis,” Moore affirmed, emphasizing that the initiative aims to “maximize space, innovative programming and continue to be our community’s No. 1 choice in educating its children.”
School boundaries in Indian River County have largely remained static since 2011, following changes implemented with the opening of Storm Grove Middle School. However, the School Board could begin formal discussions regarding new attendance zones as early as its December 1 meeting.
Parents have shown a strong preference for the K-8 school model, indicating a significant need for additional space. While portable classrooms are a temporary solution, the district is exploring more efficient long-term strategies. Moore raised the question, “Are we getting the best bang out of the use of these facilities?”
Beyond middle schools, the district also plans to review attendance zones for some elementary schools. Notably, Citrus, Glendale, and Vero Beach Elementary schools are situated within two miles of each other, yet present varying capacities: Glendale at 54%, Citrus at 64%, and Vero Beach Elementary at 74%. Moreover, popular magnet schools like Osceola, Rosewood, Pelican Island, and Liberty consistently operate at full capacity, turning away approximately 90 students annually, with about 35 of those students ultimately seeking education outside the district.
Another area under scrutiny is the Freshman Learning Center (FLC), which houses ninth graders before they transition to the main Vero Beach High School campus. Moore pointed out that few districts maintain such a separate facility, and its annual operating cost of about $1.2 million is significantly higher than Sebastian River High School, which integrates all grades (9-12) on one campus. The FLC’s current setup requires busing approximately one-third of its students to the main campus for advanced academic courses, leading to concerns about efficiency. “Our most advanced students are missing academics because we have to shuttle them back and forth,” Moore explained.
The potential for rezoning marks a pivotal moment for education in Vero Beach and Indian River County, promising a future where school facilities are optimally utilized to serve the growing and evolving needs of local students and families.
