By Communications Department - Archdiocese of Miami

 

Miami, FL (August 12, 2024) – The Archdiocese of Miami marks the beginning of the new 2024/2025 school year, with an estimated 35,000 students returning to one of 65 Catholic schools on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. In addition, the archdiocese welcomes the opening of the Little School, a new private educational institution serving grades K-4 located in the La Salle Educational Center in Homestead. This new institution is a Lasallian Catholic school, and it will primarily serve low income and agricultural migrant families within the South Dade Community, offering a dedicated space for learning, growth, and community support. 

“The continued growth of our Catholic schools in South Florida is enormously heartening,” said Jim Rigg, superintendent of schools at the Archdiocese of Miami.” We are thrilled to welcome new families.” 

As part of the welcome, Archbishop Thomas Wenski will celebrate mass and bless the new school building on Sunday, August 18 at 10 a.m. at the La Salle Educational Center in Homestead. The center is located at 13350 SW 314th Street, Homestead, FL 33033.  

The Little School will officially open its doors on Monday, August 19, with enrollment already underway. The Little School is the first Catholic school in the area, and is part of a three-phase initiative by the De La Salle Brothers to bring educational excellence and serve the community, especially focusing on low-income and migrant families. During the next few years, it is expected the school to expand into a K-12 Lasallian educational program. This initiative aims to bridge educational gaps and offer a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically and personally. 

"We are thrilled to bring the Lasallian educational tradition to South Miami-Dade County and back to the Archdiocese of Miami," said Michael Scaramuzzo, President. "The opening of The Little School is just the beginning of our vision to provide comprehensive K-12 education that supports the academic and personal growth of every student." 

The Little School is the 4th Catholic school in three years opened within the archdiocese and will provide an education focused on intellectual, spiritual, and human formation to develop students’ leadership skills, academic prowess, and faith, empowering them to become people of integrity, break the cycle of poverty, and shape their own prosperous futures. 

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About the Archdiocese of Miami: The Archdiocese of Miami serves 1.3 million Catholics in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe Counties, consisting of 109 parishes and missions, including the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, and is served by over 170 priests, 120 deacons, and 247 brothers and sisters. The archdiocese is also home to 64 schools, including 14 secondary schools (four of which are operated by religious orders), and the only AdvancEd/SACS accredited virtual Catholic school in the U.S. The archdiocese also oversees the Adrian Dominican-run Barry University and sponsors St. Thomas University. Mass is celebrated daily and available in a dozen languages. The archdiocese is led by Archbishop Thomas Wenski. 

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About La Salle Educational Center: La Salle Educational Center provides an outstanding Catholic Lasallian education to students in South Miami-Dade County. With a strong focus on supporting low-income and migrant families, the center strives to foster the academic and personal growth of every student, regardless of their background, rooted in the values of faith, service, and community.