ST LUCIE COUNTY JAIL - ROCK ROAD ACADEMY

The St. Lucie County School Board’s Jail Program for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) is a specialized educational initiative designed to provide continuity of instruction for incarcerated youth who have been identified with disabilities. Operating under the umbrella of the St. Lucie Public Schools district, this program ensures that students within the correctional system maintain access to their mandated Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). By bridging the gap between traditional schooling and the jail environment, the program seeks to prevent academic regression and provide support services tailored to the specific learning needs of these students.

Located at the North Rock Road facility in Fort Pierce, the program emphasizes rehabilitation through education, recognizing that students in custodial settings remain entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) under federal law. The curriculum is delivered by certified educators who work to keep students on track toward graduation or high school equivalency, while also providing the necessary accommodations and modifications required by their ESE status. Through this partnership with the local detention system, the St. Lucie County School Board fulfills its commitment to providing equitable educational opportunities, regardless of a student's legal status or physical environment.