Superintendent Dr. Jon Prince made the decision to take one additional week so our school opens the way our students deserve. A building being cleared for occupancy is not the same thing as a school being ready for children. It does not mean the floors are waxed and shining, the classrooms are decorated, the bulletin boards are up, and every desk is exactly where a teacher wants it. This week gives our teachers and staff the time to create classrooms that are welcoming, engaging, and safe.
Tradition Begins Here!
Important School Update
Tradition Lakes K-8: FAQ
One week is what our teachers and staff need to complete final classroom preparations and walk through arrival, dismissal, and emergency procedures before students arrive. Dr. Prince was not willing to rush those preparations. Our families have waited a long time for this school, and Tradition Lakes students deserve the very best we can give them on day one.
No. The buildings students will occupy will be fully inspected, cleared, and ready before anyone arrives on August 17. Construction areas are completely fenced off and separated from student areas, the campus is secured, and a School Resource Officer will be on campus beginning the first day and additional school security officers will be present until all construction is completed.
Construction on a project this size runs on a tight final timeline, and some of the final work took additional time. Rather than rush those final details, Dr. Prince chose to take the extra week so classrooms are genuinely ready for students.
Building 1, which houses the main office and classrooms; Building 4, which houses additional classrooms; and Building 5, which houses the cafeteria and auditorium. Buildings 2 and 3 will open at a later date and will remain securely fenced off until that work is complete.
That date has not been set yet. We will announce it as soon as we have a confirmed timeline, and we will not open either building until it is fully inspected, cleared, and ready for students.
No. Tradition Lakes K-8 was designed to serve approximately 1,800 students, and we intentionally capped first-year enrollment at approximately 1,100 to ensure a smooth opening. The completed classroom buildings provide more than enough space for every enrolled student.
Possibly. Some classes will move into their permanent classrooms once Buildings 2 and 3 are complete. This is a planned part of opening a new campus in phases, not an unexpected change. If your child’s class is one that will move, the school will let you know well in advance, and staff will make the transition smooth and easy for students. Your child will have the same teacher and the same classmates, and only the room will change.
PE and student activities will continue from day one. We have simply planned alternate spaces for them. Classes will use our center pod areas, outdoor fields and play areas, and classroom spaces designed to flex for active learning. Our PE and activities staff have already built their plans around these locations, so students will have a full, engaging program from the very first week. Once the remaining buildings open, those programs will move into their permanent spaces, and we will keep families posted along the way.
Our staff follow district heat and hydration protocols, including water breaks, shaded areas, and moving activities indoors when conditions call for it. Student comfort and safety guide those decisions every day.
No. Students will still receive the full number of instructional minutes required by the state for the year and will follow the SLPS calendar for the rest of the school year.
The district will share community childcare options available during the week of August 10 through 14 for families who need them. This information will be posted to the TLK8 website when available.
Yes. Open House is now Friday, August 14, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Come meet your child’s teacher, find their classroom, and let your student experience the inviting spaces designed with them in mind before day one.
You will tour the buildings your child will use every day. Buildings 2 and 3 will remain fenced off while work continues, so those areas will not be part of the tour. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions about what is coming.
First-day logistics, including buses and meals, now begin August 17. Details will be shared at Open House and on our website. Students will follow the district calendar for the rest of the year.
Both the bus loop and the parent pick-up loop are complete and will be ready for use on the first day of school. Our staff will use this additional week to walk through arrival and dismissal procedures together, so traffic flows smoothly and every child knows exactly where to go. Detailed maps and procedures will be shared at Open House and posted on our website before August 17, and staff will be stationed throughout both loops that first morning to guide families.
Check your email first, since we have sent detailed information to all Tradition Lakes families. Updates are also posted on the Tradition Lakes K-8 website and on our school and district social media pages.
Call the main office number at (772) 301-7890. We are glad to help.
Students will follow the St. Lucie Public Schools Calendar for the rest of the year.
About Our School
Welcome to Tradition Lakes K-8, where we are building more than a school, we are building a community and creating a legacy together.
As the newest K-8 school in St. Lucie Public Schools, Tradition Lakes offers students, families, staff, and community partners a unique opportunity to shape our culture, establish meaningful traditions, and create an exceptional learning environment that will serve generations of Tigers to come.
- Guided by our mission, we provide engaging, rigorous instruction that challenges every student while supporting individual strengths, interests, and goals.
- Driven by our vision, we cultivate a culture of excellence where students feel connected, supported, and inspired to lead, learn, and grow.
- Focused on the future, we prepare students to think critically, collaborate effectively, embrace innovation, and develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in school, careers, and life.
At Tradition Lakes K-8, every student, staff member, family, and community partner will help shape who we are and what we will become. Together, we are creating the traditions, culture, and legacy that will define our school for years to come.
Tradition Begins Here!
Dear Students and Families,
We are pleased to welcome you to Tradition Lakes K-8 and look forward to opening our doors in August 2026.
Tradition Lakes K-8 will be defined by strong academics, clear expectations, and a commitment to student growth at every level. From kindergarten through eighth grade, our students will experience standards driven instruction, structured learning environments, and meaningful opportunities to develop leadership, responsibility, and character. Our goal is to build a school community where students are both supported and challenged. With high expectations and consistent guidance, every child will succeed and grow confidently. Through strong relationships and intentional instruction, we will prepare our students for high school and beyond.
We encourage families to stay connected as we prepare for our inaugural year by visiting our website and following our social media platforms for important updates and announcements. Your partnership will play an essential role in shaping the traditions that define our school.
We look forward to welcoming our first students and building a foundation that will serve this community for years to come.
Tradition Begins Here!
Sincerely,
LaTanya Clark-Greene
Principal
Tradition Lakes K-8
Our Mission: At Tradition Lakes K–8, our mission is to create a school where every student is seen and heard, every family is valued, and every educator is empowered. We are committed to academic excellence, emotional safety, and a culture of belonging that honors diversity, drives growth, and develops confident, capable learners. This academic center where students rise, staff thrive, and the entire community moves forward together.
Our Vision: Tradition Lakes K–8 envisions a thriving school community that serves as the HEART of Tradition where every child is prepared for academic success, lifelong leadership, and purpose. We are committed to fostering an environment where excellence is the standard, equity is lived, and leadership is cultivated in every student. Our students will leave Tradition Lakes K-8 grounded in knowledge, confident in their identity, and equipped to lead with integrity, confidence, and purpose because we’ve built the habits of excellence early.
