Miami-Dade County Public Schools Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony at West Lakes Preparatory Academy in Hialeah

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday at West Lakes Preparatory Academy to celebrate the start of the last phase of a $34.5 million project that will include the renovation of several buildings as well as other upgrades.

“Our students are very excited about this project. It will give our older students the true middle school experience with their own cafeteria,” said West Lakes Preparatory Academy Principal
Richelle Thomas. “Right now, they don’t have a wing of their own, they’ve had to share the
space with the little kids.”

D Stephenson Construction, Inc. was awarded the $22.4 million project, which includes remodeling one of the school’s buildings into 12 middle school classrooms and labs with new
finishes, flooring, ceilings, and LED light fixtures.

According to Thomas, this project will give the middle school students their own building with their own classrooms, science lab and cafeteria apart from the younger students.
“I’m thrilled for the future Panthers who will get to experience our vibrant, positive learning environment in this new building,” said eighth grader Valentina Morales. “I can't wait to see what lies ahead for them here at West Lakes Preparatory Academy.”

Another building will also be remodeled to include a new kitchen, dining, and service area.There will be a new stage with lighting and a sound system for the cafetorium and new
campus-wide public address system. Additionally, the physical education locker rooms will be renovated with new LED light fixtures, ceilings, and plumbing fixtures. The elementary school basketball courts will be resurfaced and restriped.

The project is estimated to be completed by August 2026.

These school bond projects resulted from voter approval of the $1.2 billion General Obligation Bond in 2012. Funds from the bond are 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: : M-DCPS Administrative Director of Design and Sustainability Erick Laventure, and Principal Richelle Thomas are joined by region officials for the groundbreaking ceremony.