Moving to Palm City
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Education
Florida Atlantic University
Overview: Florida Atlantic University opened its doors in 1964 as the first public university in southeast Florida and now offers more than 170 undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral degrees. In addition to its original 850-acre campus in Boca Raton, FAU has campuses and sites in Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Dania Beach, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce. The University is currently serves 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
FAU’s 10 colleges are the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, the College of Business, the College for Design and Social Inquiry, the College of Education, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and the Graduate College.
Built on a rich tradition as a teaching university with a respected faculty, FAU is also earning a reputation as a top research institution in areas ranging from biomedicine and biotechnology to ocean engineering and coastline security.
About the Treasure Coast Campus: The Treasure Coast Campus is conveniently situated just east of I-95 in St. Lucie West and offers upper-division degree programs to transfer and graduate students in disciplines such as education, nursing, computer science and geomatics engineering.
The campus includes state-of-the-art classroom technology and a library combining FAU, Indian River State College and St. Lucie County materials and resources. FAU’s Division of Student Affairs, along with Student Government, coordinates student events and activities. Student services on campus include offices that handle admissions, financial aid, academic advising and registration.
FAU Treasure Coast Campus
500 NW California Blvd.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
About FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (Fort Pierce):FAU Harbor Branch is a research institute situated on the Indian River Lagoon between Fort Pierce and Vero Beach that also provides undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate opportunities in marine science and engineering. Signature offerings include the Summer Internship Program and Semester by the Sea.
Research focus areas include aquaculture and stock enhancement, marine biomedical and biotechnology, marine ecosystem health, ocean engineering and technology, ocean exploration and undersea research, and marine science education. Among the marine ecosystem health programs are coral reef health and conservation, harmful algal blooms, Indian River lagoon research and marine mammal research and conservation.
Area residents and visitors can learn more about FAU Harbor Branch by visiting the Ocean Discovery Center and are invited to join the Friends of Harbor Branch. A weekly Ocean Science Lecture Series is open to the public and the Friends offer many educational activities including newsletters, trips and special events. For more information, visit www.hboi.fau.eduor call 772-242-2559.
FAU Harbor Branch
5600 N. US1
Fort Pierce, FL 34946
FAU Main Number: 561-297-3000
FAU Treasure Coast Campus: 772-873-3300
FAU Harbor Branch: 772-242-2400
Affiliation: FAU is universally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and each college maintains regional and professional accreditations. FAU is classified as a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Tuition: For Florida residents, undergraduate tuition is $159.81 per credit hour, and graduate tuition is $319.96 per credit hour.
Housing and Board: Housing is available at FAU’s Boca Raton and Jupiter campuses. Please see the FAU website for details.
School Calendar: FAU operates on a fall, spring and summer semester schedule. Please see the Academic Calendar on the FAU website for specific dates.
Bessey Creek Elementary School
2201 S.W. Matheson Avenue
Palm City, FL 34990
(772) 219-1500
Victoria Defenthaler, Principal
Enrollment: 535
As demonstrated by consistently high test scores, Bessey Creek Elementary exemplifies the highest standard in curriculum application. Goals developed by the school community focus on increasing student achievement in the areas of literacy, math, writing, science, and problem solving/critical thinking approaches to learning. An increased knowledge and incorporation of technology is enhanced by the use of Promethean Interactive Whiteboards in many classrooms. Additionally, multimedia stations in every classroom, utilizing a high speed computer network, enable students and teachers a school wide access of programs. Bessey Creek’s 33 station computer lab enriches students’ knowledge of technology through the use of a variety of programs including multimedia, keyboarding skills, and reading and math reinforcement. Additional technological support is offered by the media center and a TV production studio. Through the support of the Palm City Chamber and the generosity of businesses and families in the community, teachers have been able to purchase resources to enhance the instructional program. Bessey Creek has been designated as an "A” school by the Florida Department of Education. This designation is given to schools as recognition of the academic excellence their students have achieved. The school has also earned the National PTA’s School of Excellence Award. All of these accolades have been achieved through the dedication and commitment of the students, staff, volunteers, business partners, and the entire school community. Students are afforded the opportunity to participate in a variety of clubs, activities, and events such as the Garden Club of Stuart Gator Gardeners program, the Kiwanis K Kids program, Team Green, the Red Cross Club, Band, and Chorus. In the area of character education, Bessey Creek utilizes the Conscious Discipline (CD) program as a toolbox for equipping students with emotional intelligence skills both in individual classrooms and school wide. This model proposes that optimal learning and problem solving occurs when children feel safe and connected. Additionally, Positive Behavioral Support (PBS), a school wide behavioral management program, is used in conjunction with Conscious Discipline strategies and structures. When mistakes are made or rules are not followed both CD and PBS focus on skill building, teaching, modeling appropriate behavior, and providing relevant interventions and consequences. At Bessey Creek Elementary, we believe in the power of unity and are committed to being SAFE, RESPECTFUL AND RESPONSIBLE, after all "BCE GATORS BRIGHTEN THE WORLD"
Citrus Grove Elementary School
2527 SW Citrus Boulevard
Palm City, FL 34990
Tyson Villwock, Principal
Enrollment: 607
The mission of Citrus Grove Elementary is to provide opportunities for students to achieve their personal best and become responsible, healthy, and productive citizens who embrace lifelong learning. This is evident as
you walk through the halls of CGE. At Citrus Grove Elementary we believe that kindness, compassion and perseverance are essential to helping students be successful in learning and life. Our state-of-the art facility opened in 2008 and is now home to hundreds of students that demonstrate and celebrate success on a daily basis. Peek in our classroom windows and you will find students engaged in the learning process and teachers challenging themselves and their students to extend their learning. Our "A” rating by the state is evidence that high-academic achievement is one of our priorities. The programs and events sponsored by our PTA demonstrate our commitment to ensure our children receive a well-rounded education. Recipients of the 5 Star School Award, we are fortunate to have community and family volunteers 
committed to reinforcing the work of dedicated staff members. Programs such as Junior Achievement, Picture People and the Garden Club are just a small sampling of the programs provided by our volunteers. Chorus, Band, Safety Patrol, News Crew, and Yearbook Club, are examples of staff developed programs that extend our children’s education beyond the classroom.MARTIN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
2801 S. Kanner Highway
Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 219-1800
Alfred Fabrizio, Principal
Enrollment: 1975
Martin County High School has a time honored tradition of academic and athletic excellence. The well-established AP Program offers students a rigorous university-recognized curriculum and the opportunity to earn an AP International diploma. A safe-orderly learning environment complemented by high expectations and a professional staff provide students with the opportunity to flourish in the varied academic, artistic, career and athletic programs available. Individual student needs are at the center of the data-driven decision making process. Sample course offerings unique only to MCHS are Latin, Culinary Arts, and Calculus BC. Parent and community involvement is valued and encouraged.
Post Office
Utilities
Electric
Florida Power & Light Company
6501 South Ocean Drive
Jensen Beach
772-287-5400
Telephone
AT&T
700 Northpoint Parkway, Ste. 410
West Palm Beach
800-753-0710
Indiantown Telephone System, Inc.
15925 SW Warfield Boulevard
Indiantown
772-597-2111
Water
Indiantown Company
15925 SW Warfield Boulevard
Indiantown
772-597-2121
Martin County Utilities
2378 SE Ocean Boulevard
Stuart
772-221-1434
Sanitation
Waste Management
7700 SE Bridge Road
Hobe Sound
772-546-7700
Television Service
Comcast Cable
1495 NW Britt Road
Stuart
800-COMCAST (266-2278)
Taxes
Sales Tax
The State Sales Tax is six and a half (6.5%) of the total amount of any sale. However, medicines, medical services and most food items are exempt.
Tangible Tax
Business property is subject to Florida’s Tangible Tax, which includes everything used in the performance of your business except real estate. All businesses, whether individuals, partnerships or corporations, which control, manage, lease or own any tangible personal property such as furniture, equipment, computers, machines, etc., must file a Tangible Tax Return prior to April 1 of each year. Failure to do so will result in a fine.
Property Tax
Homestead exemption is one way to reduce the amount of real estate taxes you will have to pay on your residential property. More Info...
