Indiantown - Tuesday June 14, 2022: Ground was broken Tuesday on Indiantown Technical Charter High School, the first and only high school in Indiantown. The school will focus on career and technical education, as well as providing a traditional high school curriculum.
The project is a partnership between the Martin County School District and Indian River State College which will operate the school.
It was only last year that Indian River State College unveiled its plans for a charter high school in Indiantown. Then, 4 months ago, the Martin County Board of Commissioners gave its approval for the lease of 25-acres on Southwest Citrus Boulevard where the school will be built, and just last month the Martin County School District unanimously voted to accept IRSC’s application.
"We put together a plan, and I think we've achieved that plan, with audacity of thought, and velocity of execution," said IRSC President Dr. Timothy Moore. “A year from today a 60-thousand square foot building will be completed. An inaugural class will start this summer, and by 2025 they’ll be 400 students enrolled here full time."
"It’s an important day for Martin County, the Martin County School Board, and for this great college. It’s remarkable what can be done when we truly work together," said Dr. Moore.
The cost to build the school will be about $25 million. The initial funding of $10-million was provided by an anonymous private donor. Their generosity was matched by the Indian River State College Foundation.
State Representative John Snyder then worked with fellow lawmakers and Governor DeSantis to get the final $5-million included in the state budget. “Government alone will never fix our problems," said Representative Snyder. " The old days of the zip code determining the quality of your education, those days are over. And this will be, no doubt, an additional shining jewel, of choice for outstanding education opportunities in Martin County.”
Until now high school age students in Indiantown faced a long drive east to the coast to attend school. Soon classes will be only minutes away for them.
Martin County School Board Chairperson Marsha Powers was an early champion of the planned high school. “We’re here today because of an amazing group of people that said yes. Yes, to provide life-changing educational opportunities for high school students in Indiantown and all of Martin County,” said Powers.
Indiantown Charter High School already has a temporary home at the Boys & Girls Club of Indiantown. School starts on August 10 and classes will be held there until construction is completed on the new school next year.
Anthony Boyer has been appointed the Executive Director and Principal of Indiantown Technical Charter High School. “This school means so much to the area, bringing it in, and allowing students the opportunity to work towards Associate Degrees and industry certifications. It will help them ... be ready for the job market," said Boyer.
Indiantown High School will be the second public charter school in Martin County operated by Indian River State College. IRSC opened the Clark Advanced Learning Center on the college's Chastain Campus in Stuart back in 2004.
