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First-of-Its-Kind Partnership Combines Education and Affordable Housing in Miami’s Urban Core
Today, September 22, 2025, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins joined Mayor Daniella Levine Cava at the grand opening of Southside Preparatory Academy, a groundbreaking seven-story K–8 school in Brickell that also includes affordable housing units for educators. This innovative project marks the first collaboration between the County and MDCPS, setting a new precedent for community-focused development.
“This project is proof of what happens when we dream big about our community,” said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins. “We’re giving our teachers affordable homes, building a state-of-the-art school for hundreds of students, and creating a neighborhood where families can truly live, learn, and thrive. By bringing together quality education, affordable housing, and easy access to transit, we’re not just strengthening our urban core—we’re making it the kind of vibrant place where young families want to put down roots without being dependent on cars.”
The academy will serve approximately 937 students with a student–teacher ratio of 18:1, while also providing 10 modern one-bedroom affordable housing units reserved for School Board staff. Constructed on land owned by Miami-Dade County, the County contributed $2.5 million toward the housing and executed a 99-year, no-cost lease with MDCPS, ensuring long-term affordability and management. Additionally, each residential unit includes Energy Star-rated appliances, granite countertops, ceramic or porcelain flooring, and roll-in showers for accessibility, reflecting the County’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive design.
Magnus Brickell—located just steps from the new school—opened earlier this year with a mix of workforce, affordable, and market-rate housing units. The development has already welcomed dozens of working families and professionals seeking affordable housing in the urban core. With Southside Preparatory Academy now open, these residents gain the additional benefit of a high-quality neighborhood school within walking distance, creating a true live-work-learn environment. Southside Preparatory Academy represents a bold new approach to community development—offering high-quality education, stable housing for educators, and a model for future County-school partnerships.
