For many residents of Miami Springs, the news is now official: Miami Springs Middle School
is expected to permanently close following the 2025-2026 school year as Miami-Dade
County Public Schools moves forward with plans to create a unified 6–12 preparatory
academy on the current Miami Springs Senior High campus. The decision comes as the district continues to deal with declining enrollment and the financial realities that come with operating underused school facilities. Under the proposal, students in grades 6 through 8 will attend the new academy at the high school, creating a single campus experience from middle school through graduation.
Like many people who grew up in Miami Springs, I have a lot of memories tied to that
school. I remember spending lunch periods in the courtyard outside the cafeteria, playing marbles
and Pogs with my friends. If you grew up in the 1990s, you probably remember carrying
around a tube full of Pogs and a prized slammer, trading with friends and competing to see
who could build the biggest collection.
Back then, everybody seemed to have a favorite slammer and a stack of Pogs they were proud of. I remember hanging out in that same courtyard during lunch and nervously asking my first girlfriend out. For many of us, Miami Springs Middle wasn’t just a school—it was where we experienced many of life’s firsts. It was also where I joined the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, helping to guide young men toward leadership, responsibility, and success. The program has grown tremendously and continues to impact thousands of students throughout South Florida. Looking back, it’s remarkable to see how something that felt so local and personal as a middle school student
has expanded into a program that continues to change lives across the region. Not every memory was perfect, however. Anyone who attended during certain years probably remembers that the school could be a rough place at times. Fights were common, and there were periods when it felt chaotic and difficult to control. That’s not a criticism as much as it is an honest reflection of what many
students experienced. Like any school, it had its strengths and its challenges.
Because of that, my feelings about the closure are mixed, but ultimately I support the
decision. The reality is that student enrollment has changed dramatically over the years. School
districts have to adapt, and consolidating resources into a single 6–12 academy appears to
be a practical solution. If done correctly, it could provide students with additional academic
opportunities, stronger programs, and a smoother transition into high school.
What may be even more interesting is what comes next for the current middle school
property.
District officials have indicated they do not intend to sell the site for commercial or
residential development. Instead, the property is expected to remain focused on educational
and community uses. Ideas that have been discussed include early childhood education,
after-school programs, special-needs services, and even partnerships with the City of Miami
Springs. That is encouraging news.
The campus occupies a significant piece of property in the heart of our community. In hopes that city leaders, residents, and the school district can work together to find a meaningful use for it. Whether it becomes an educational center, a community resource, or something entirely different, it has the potential to continue serving Miami Springs for generations to come.
While many alumni will undoubtedly feel a sense of sadness as the school closes its doors, it
is important to remember that a school’s legacy is not its buildings. Its legacy is the people
who passed through its halls, the friendships that were formed, the lessons that were
learned, and the memories that remain long after graduation.
Miami Springs Middle School may be closing, but its place in the story of Miami Springs is
secure. And for those of us who were there, will always remember the courtyard, the marbles, the
Pogs, the slammers, and a time when life seemed a whole lot simpler.
