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In 1950, the first class of Coral Gables Cavaliers walked through the gates of a brand-new high school at 450 Bird Road. Imagine the thrill of being among the very first to fill the hallways where the smell of fresh paint mixed with excited chatter and anticipation.
Phyllis “Petsy” (Gautier) Metzy remembers it well. Her senior class had been transferred from Ponce de Leon High when it became a junior high, and she went on to be crowned Gables High’s very first prom queen. “I remember how new and beautiful Gables High was,” she said. “We were all so proud to be there!”
Seventy-five years later, the Cavaliers are still proud—and the scent of fresh paint is back. More than $35 million in renovations have transformed the campus with even more upgrades on the way. A new, larger gymnasium is in the design phase. Three outdated buildings have been replaced with a modern structure that now houses a cafeteria, classrooms, and arts studios. The redesign opened up a new green quad with a brick oval patio for students to gather. The library is now a digitized media center, the interior of the band and choir building has been rebuilt, estate fencing runs along LeJeune Road, and a digital marquee sign on Bird Road now broadcasts important school information to the public.
Through all the changes, the spirit of Gables High has remained unwavering. Miami-Dade School Board Chair and District 6 Representative, Mari Tere Rojas captured it best: “From the beginning, the school has been a diamond—strong, resilient, and full of promise—polished over the years into one that shines even brighter today.” Ms. Rojas has long championed investments that ensure the school’s physical blueprint reflects state-of-the-art learning. She emphasized that the “Walk Through the Decades” is more than a look back at history—it is a powerful reminder that every graduate, teacher, administrator, staff member, alum, and stakeholder has helped shape the enduring, brilliant legacy of this school.”
Today, Coral Gables Senior High is an A-rated school with a nationally recognized International Baccalaureate program, six academies, and 45 advanced courses. Last year, seniors received more than $26 million in scholarships and earned spots at the nation’s top colleges and universities.
Luciana Gonzalez, the current Chair of Friends of Gables High and the mother of a senior, has seen the school’s impact firsthand. “It’s been a fantastic four years for her,” she said of her daughter, Samantha. “She’s achieved a remarkable balance of academics, athletics, and extracurriculars. And these accolades are a direct result of what Gables High has to offer. There is truly something for everyone and I couldn’t be more impressed. My youngest starts here next year and we can’t wait for her to dive in and be part of the Gables High story.”
Friends of Gables High (FOGH) has become a big part of that community spirit. What began in a living room in 2018 with 40 alumni and community leaders has grown into a powerhouse of support. FOGH hosts an annual Garden Party, has brought back the Hall of Fame honoring everyone from astronauts to an Attorney General, and takes on special projects like renovating the staff lounge and outdoor senior courtyard. Each year, the group awards up to $40,000 in mini grants to teachers for classroom upgrades.
And now, it’s time to celebrate, cherish memories, and honor the legacy. On October 24, Coral Gables Senior High will throw open its doors for the school’s 75th Anniversary. The evening kicks off with a pep rally at 6 p.m. in the auditorium, followed by a “Walk Through the Decades” celebration in the quad. Alumni and former teachers can reconnect at decade-themed tables, students will give campus tours, a DJ will spin hits from every era, and food trucks will be on hand. The event is free, open to the public, and sure to be a night of memories.
You can register at Eventbrite.com by searching “Coral Gables Senior High Celebrates 75 Years of Cavalier Pride.”
For more information, visit friendsofgableshigh.org or coralgablescavaliers.org or email Info@friendsofgableshigh.org.
