Billionaire developer Stephen Ross is doing more than reshaping West Palm Beach’s skyline. He’s helping reshape its schools.
The Miami Dolphins owner and chairman of Related Ross is backing major education initiatives across Palm Beach County, from new private schools to college scholarships and a planned Vanderbilt University campus.
The latest: a $100 million gift to Pine Crest School, one of the largest donations ever made to a K-12 school in the country.
$100 Million for Pine Crest School
The Stephen M. Ross Foundation has committed $100 million to help Pine Crest School establish its third South Florida campus.
The proposed PreK-12 school would occupy 57 acres along Roebuck Road near Florida’s Turnpike in West Palm Beach, joining existing campuses in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.
City commissioners tentatively agreed to sell the property for $6.6 million in July 2026. An opening date has not been announced.
Vanderbilt University’s Planned Graduate Campus
Ross has committed $50 million toward Vanderbilt University’s planned $520 million graduate campus in downtown West Palm Beach.
The university has now raised $400 million and appointed Natasha Sachs to lead the project locally. Construction is targeted for mid-2027, with an anticipated opening in fall 2029, pending city approvals.
The approximately 8-acre campus would eventually serve 1,000 graduate students, offering programs in finance, management, engineering and emerging technologies, including AI, space and defense.
Wingrove Academy in Wellington
Related Ross is also involved in Wingrove Academy, a planned nonprofit private school developed with education operator ElevateED.
Located within the K-Park development in Wellington, the school is designed to eventually serve approximately 1,700 students from PreK through high school.
Its opening target has shifted to August 2029 as the organization works to secure construction financing.
Expanding Access at Palm Beach State College
Ross’s education investments also include the Stephen M. Ross Emerging Scholars Program at Palm Beach State College.
Launched with an $8 million commitment, the initiative provides tuition-free college pathways, scholarships and academic support for students from underserved West Palm Beach communities.
A Similar Push in Miami
Further south, Citadel founder Ken Griffin has pledged $3 billion to Carnegie Mellon University, including support for a planned Miami campus expected to serve 3,500 students.
The university will focus on technology and research, complementing Vanderbilt’s planned graduate programs in West Palm Beach.
Ross and Griffin have also partnered on a reported $10 million initiative through the Florida Council of 100 to attract businesses and talent to South Florida.
Building South Florida’s Future Workforce
Together, these investments reflect a larger strategy behind South Florida’s growth.
As financial and technology companies expand across the region, new schools and universities could help attract employees, educate local students and build a workforce that supports long-term growth.
From Pine Crest and Vanderbilt in West Palm Beach to Carnegie Mellon in Miami, the region’s educational landscape is evolving alongside its business community.
