Don’s Rambles: Tracing Gables’ Educational Roots
An adventure in which a former mayor continues to seek the “soul” of his hometown.
Auditorium entrance from left to right: Assistant Principal Carlos Martinez, Principal Jeanette Sierra, and Assistant Principal Monica Leganoa
When Coral Gables was born a century ago, its father, George Merrick, strongly believed that the foundation of an ideal community should have five principal elements: God (his own Congregational Church and the Roman Catholic Church “Little Flower”), education (Coral Gables Elementary and the University of Miami), elegant Mediterranean-styled residential housing, welcoming tourist accommodations and attractions (The Biltmore Hotel and Tahiti Beach), and recreation (Venetian Pool and the Golf and Country Club). So, in celebration of our city’s centennial celebration, I am rambling along Ponce de Leon Boulevard to visit our first public educational facility: Coral Gables Elementary School (now “Preparatory Academy”).
In 1923, two years before the incorporation of our municipality, Merrick sold the site on Ponce for $10,000 to the Dade County Board of Public Instruction to construct a grammar school to meet the needs of new residents. By 1925, as the building reached completion, there were 1,000 students enrolled. The western wing of the building contains one of the finest (and recently restored) auditoriums of any school in Miami-Dade County. The Ponce-facing facade’s bayed and arched portico creates a most dramatic Mediterranean entryway, while the original 1923, more modest (but elegant) entrance faces Minorca Avenue. There are two large open-air courtyards surrounded by classrooms opening onto classical colonnades. Few South Florida school buildings were as beautifully rendered as our own classical architectural jewel. While an important asset to the fledgling Gables community 100 years ago, and the place where many of our city’s pioneer families were educated, it continues to be a critical component of the lives of our residents. “During its long and storied history, the school has provided thousands of children with a solid educational foundation. Teachers have devoted their entire careers to these students,” says current principal Jeanette Sierra. “Throughout the 100 years of its existence, the former and current faculty and staff members have remained dedicated to Mr. Merrick’s vision by continuing to pursue and celebrate excellence – every day!”
I think that we have certainly found a critical component of the City’s soul. Go Eagles (originally the “Flamingoes”)!
This column appears monthly by Don Slesnick, who served as mayor of Coral Gables from 2001 to 2011. For suggestions on where he should next meander in search of the city’s soul, email to: donslesnick@scllp.com.