Pine Crest School, one of South Florida's best-known private schools, is planning a third campus, this time in West Palm Beach. Backed by a $100 million commitment from the foundation of billionaire developer Stephen M. Ross, the pre-K through 12th grade campus would sit on about 57 acres of city-owned land on Roebuck Road near Florida's Turnpike, northeast of Wellington. It would be the largest campus in the school's history. Supporters say it fills a need for school seats and helps the region attract families. Others questioned the price the city agreed to sell the land for. Here's what's known so far.
Pine Crest West Palm Beach at a glance
- The school
- Pine Crest School, with existing campuses in Fort Lauderdale (48 acres) and Boca Raton (28 acres)
- The site
- About 57 acres of city-owned land on Roebuck Road near Florida's Turnpike in West Palm Beach
- Grades
- Pre-K through 12th grade are planned
- The gift
- $100 million from the Stephen M. Ross Foundation, confirmed by Pine Crest in September 2026
- Land price
- $6.6 million under a tentative agreement the City Commission approved unanimously on July 20, 2026
- Still to come
- A final sale agreement and more city approvals; grade-by-grade plans, admissions and the opening date are still being finalized
What's planned
Pine Crest announced plans for a West Palm Beach campus in June 2026, after studying the Palm Beach County education market since 2023, according to the school. Under the tentative deal with the city, 55 of the 57 acres would be deed-restricted to educational use, with the other two acres used for an access road, The Palm Beach Post reported. Money from the land sale would go to academic programs at Roosevelt Elementary School.
The Ross Foundation's gift is meant to support the new campus as well as faculty, financial aid, programs and facilities across all three Pine Crest campuses, according to reporting on the announcement. Pine Crest says details on grade levels, admissions, staffing and opening timelines are still being finalized.
Who is Stephen Ross?
Ross, who also owns the Miami Dolphins, is chairman of Related Ross, the largest developer and Class A office landlord in West Palm Beach, with properties including CityPlace and the One Flagler office tower. He has argued that schools are key to the city's growth. "You can't get companies to want to expand in an area without having great education," Ross said this year, according to The Palm Beach Post.
Why supporters say it matters
- More school seats. "I believe right now we're in a deficit of close to 600 seats just at the moment without anything being constructed," Deputy City Administrator Armando Fana told commissioners.
- Schools attract employers. Ross has tied great schools directly to whether companies choose to expand in the area, and supporters see the campus as a way to keep families who move here for new jobs.
- A big investment. Pine Crest board chair Todd Rosenberg described plans for "an incredible campus, a place that everyone could be really proud of."
- Help for a public school. Proceeds from the land sale are set to go to Roosevelt Elementary's academic programs.
The questions raised
- The price. A real estate expert told The Palm Beach Post the negotiated price was far below market value, and earlier appraisals of the land ranged from $3.7 million to $9.5 million. The city's newest appraisal set the value at $5.7 million after subtracting about $12.3 million in development costs, including roughly $7.5 million to remove muck from 36 acres.
- Higher value as homes. Fana acknowledged that if the land were sold for housing, "the appraised value would be much higher."
- How much land. At least one commissioner questioned whether the school needs the full 57 acres.
- Not final yet. The sale still needs a final agreement and further city approvals before it closes.
What it means for Wellington families
Today, Pine Crest's closest campus to Wellington is in Boca Raton. A campus on Roebuck Road would put a large pre-K through 12 private school closer to the western communities. For local options, see our guides to private schools in Wellington and schools in Wellington, FL.
What do you think?
Would a Pine Crest campus near the Turnpike make you consider private school for your kids? And was selling 57 acres of city land for a private school the right call for West Palm Beach?
Frequently asked questions
Where will Pine Crest's West Palm Beach campus be?
On about 57 acres of city-owned land on Roebuck Road near Florida's Turnpike in West Palm Beach. The West Palm Beach City Commission approved a tentative $6.6 million sale on July 20, 2026; a final agreement still needs approval.
How much did Stephen Ross give to Pine Crest?
Pine Crest confirmed a $100 million commitment from the Stephen M. Ross Foundation in September 2026, supporting the new campus and programs across all three campuses.
What grades will Pine Crest West Palm Beach serve?
Pre-K through 12th grade are planned. Pine Crest says details on grade levels, admissions, staffing and the opening timeline are still being finalized.
Will it be Pine Crest's largest campus?
Yes. At about 57 acres, it would be larger than the Fort Lauderdale (48 acres) and Boca Raton (28 acres) campuses.
Sources
- Pine Crest School: Growing Together (West Palm Beach campus updates)
- The Palm Beach Post via AOL: West Palm makes way for Pine Crest School to build its largest campus (July 22, 2026)
- Lifestyles Magazine: $100 million gift as a vote of confidence: Stephen M. Ross brings Pine Crest to West Palm Beach (Sept. 2026)
- Wikipedia: Related Ross
Details on developments and schools can change. We update this guide as new information is announced. Spot something out of date? Send us a tip.
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