M-DCPS Holds Topping-Out Ceremony of New K-5 Elementary in West Kendall

Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, School Board member Dr. Lubby Navarro, South Region Superintendent Barbara A. Mendizábal, District administrators, Principal Maria Costa of Herbert A. Ammons Middle, Principal Nery Fins of Felix Varela Senior High, Principal Humberto Miret of Miami Southridge Senior High, and students from Varela High gathered this morning for a topping-out ceremony at a new K-5 elementary school in west Kendall.

The new school will temporarily house the students from Herbert A. Ammons Middle until that school is complete. Ammons is currently the only school in the district made up of portables.

Renata Merjam, Ammons Middle PTSA President, could barely contain her excitement about the move. “Happy doesn’t begin to describe today. This building will make a huge difference in the quality of education, safety and health for the kids. They are already so high achieving, and I think this will allow them to shine even more.”

Façade of the new K-5 elementary school in West Kendall.

Rodriguez Architects and General Contractor Veitia Padron, Inc. have worked on the $24 million project, which includes a 59,225 sq. ft., two-story school kitchen, dining facility, 750 student stations, an art/music performance lab, media center, physical education playground/shelter, and much more. The project’s completion date is June 2021.

A topping-out ceremony is an age-old tradition that highlights the progress of a construction job, marks a milestone or announces that a project is nearing its completion.

The school bond projects resulted from voter approval of the $1.2 billion General Obligation Bond. The bond is being used to modernize and construct school buildings throughout the District, expand student capacity, enhance facility safety, and provide technology upgrades at all schools. 

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TOP CAPTION: Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho and Board Member Dr. Lubby Navarro tour the new K-5 elementary school construction.