SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER LUISA SANTOS AND THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, RECOGNIZE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN DISTRICT 9 SCHOOLS

Press Release from the Office of School Board Member Luisa Santos, District 9

April 23, 2026

At the School Board Meeting of April 22, 2026, School Board Member Luisa Santos proffered agenda item B-3, recognizing environmental stewardship in District 9 schools.

The ecological health of South Florida is central to the long-term resilience and prosperity of our community. Across District 9, the following schools have emerged as exemplary leaders in environmental education, integrating sustainability into academic programs while fostering a culture of student- and teacher-led environmental responsibility on their campuses.

BioTECH @ Richmond Heights Senior High School offers a premier, research-driven learning environment where students excel in zoology, botany, and ecology, and learn at extension campuses at Zoo Miami and Fairchild Tropical Gardens. The school has earned regional recognition, including a 1st Place finish in the 2026 Dreaming in Green Net Zero School Design Challenge, while also contributing to local conservation through burrowing owl monitoring and Pine Rockland habitat restoration.

Cutler Bay Senior High School empowers students through its COAST Academy by combining a rigorous Cambridge AICE marine curriculum with student-led scientific research to protect and preserve ocean ecosystems, while fostering global citizenship through initiatives such as shark tagging and coastal cleanups, and sustainability efforts led by its Environmental Club, including maintaining a campus garden, installing bat houses, and hosting “thrift-exchange” programs to reduce fashion waste.

Cutler Bay Middle School, through its COAST program and partnership with the Deering Estate N.E.S.T.T. program, immerses students in real-world marine science experiences. Through hands-on fieldwork, including shark tagging, coastal assessments, and ecosystem monitoring, students gain practical skills and develop an understanding of ocean conservation and environmental stewardship.

Pinecrest Elementary School is one of nine participants in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools composting pilot program. The staff has secured numerous “Garden Grants” to support campus initiatives, such as the installation of hydroponics systems. They received the prestigious 2024-2025 Green Schools Recognition Program Category Award for Community Involvement, reflecting a strong culture of environmental awareness.

The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, proudly recognized BioTECH @ Richmond Heights Senior High School, Cutler Bay Senior High School, Cutler Bay Middle School, and Pinecrest Elementary School for their outstanding leadership in environmental education and their meaningful contributions to building a more sustainable future for South Florida.

To read the full item, visit: https://luisasantos.com/priorities/