Real estate developer and Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has made a substantial, though undisclosed, philanthropic commitment through his Related Ross Foundation to the Pine Crest School, facilitating the establishment of a new campus in West Palm Beach. This donation will also support and improve academic programs, faculty recruitment, and the financial stability of Pine Crest's existing campuses in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale. The expansion into West Palm Beach is a response to the city's rapid growth, driven by an influx of new residents, companies, and institutions, especially since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Pine Crest School's move to West Palm Beach aligns with Ross's broader strategy to transform the area into a hub for finance and tech talent. He has also pledged $50 million each to the Cleveland Clinic and Vanderbilt University, which plans to open a graduate business school campus in the city. The school officials have not yet disclosed the specific location of the West Palm Beach campus, its planned opening date, or the grade levels it will initially offer. However, the existing campuses provide context: the 28-acre Boca Raton campus serves 878 pre-kindergarten to eighth-grade students, while the 48-acre Fort Lauderdale campus accommodates 1,829 pre-K to 12th-grade students.
There was a previous attempt in April 2025 for the city of West Palm Beach to sell 55 acres of land to Ross's firm, Related Ross, for $6.6 million for a private school and housing, but this deal was paused due to public scrutiny over the sales price and the no-bid process. Subsequently, Pine Crest School offered to buy 57 acres of city-owned land west of downtown for $6.6 million. The value of this land has been a point of contention, with a May 2025 appraisal valuing the property at $18 million pre-cost, adjusted to $7.2 million after factoring in development expenses. For the 2026-27 academic year, Pine Crest's annual tuition ranges from $39,010 for Pre-K to $49,670 for upper grades.
