The Team Metro Students’ Academy is a ten-week program designed to educate middle school students on how Miami-Dade County operates.  Its aim is to better prepare our youth for becoming responsible and active members in our community.

The Academy commences with a history and general overview of County government and incorporates lectures by various Miami-Dade County agencies.  Students’ knowledge is further enhanced through a visit to the Stephen P. Clark Center (County hall) and the opportunity to meet elected officials.

Objective
The Miami-Dade County Public School System provides civic classes to middle school students that highlight our federal and state forms of government.
As such, the Students’ Academy was developed to provide information pertaining to our local government.

Program Description
This program commenced in October 2007 as a pilot program at Lamar Louise Curry Middle School, 15750 SW 47th Street.  In the future, we hope to expand it to other middle schools.  The dates and times will vary depending on the agreement established with the participating school.  Classes include information on the difference between federal, state and local government, as well as several various county departments’ function and their impact on the community.

If a middle school is interested in bringing the Students’ Academy to their school, please contact Olga Espinosa-Anderson, Director, Team Metro Outreach and Education, at (305) 375-4845.