Coconut Creek K-8 Offers Family Atmosphere and Strong Academics for Middle School Students

by David Volz August 6, 2025

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Interim Principal Rosheika Rolle and Principal Joceyln Reid at Coconut Creek K-8. {David Volz}

Some students want the feeling of being part of a family while at school.

This is an essential advantage that Coconut Creek K-8 School of Academic Excellence will offer to middle school-level students who choose the school, according to Deborah Ridgley, who teaches 6th-grade math, coding, and debate.

“I am very excited about the K-8 school, and I believe we will provide a great education in a family-oriented atmosphere,” said Ridgley. “The classes we offer middle school students will be teen-appropriate, and we will have high academic standards.”

Broward County Public Schools is introducing K-8 schools as a way to redefine low-enrollment schools. Coconut Creek K-8 is transitioning from Coconut Creek Elementary. It will have a sixth-grade class this year, and then add seventh-grade and eighth-grade courses the following year.

Coconut Creek K-8 principal Joceyln Reid and sixth grade math teacher Deborah Ridgley.

Most of the rising sixth graders, 51 out of 72, chose to remain at Coconut Creek K-8, and five new students selected the school. Due to school choice options, families can choose between a traditional middle school and a magnet program, according to Principal Joceyln Reid.

Middle school grade students will find a rigorous program at Coconut Creek K-8. The school will offer music, the Cambridge International program, and other demanding academic courses. Teachers at the middle school level will be more subject-focused. Teachers in grades K-2 will spend the entire day with one group of students, while the teachers in grades 3-5 will focus on two subject areas.

“Middle school is a challenging time for many students, and we will offer smaller classes and a family atmosphere. We will have strong academics and partner with Coconut Creek High School,” said Reid.

Coconut Creek K-8 principal Joceyln Reid and third grade teacher Melissa Alvarada.

Melissa Alvarado, a third-grade teacher, is looking forward to the upcoming school year. She will be teaching English and social studies. “I love teaching, and I believe we have a great school,” she said.

Coconut Creek K-8 is embracing the change. The middle school classrooms have been refurbished and repainted. The school has openings for families who prefer smaller class sizes, according to Reid.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.