Lady Luna enthusiastically approves of West Elementary’s new rendering! (But not of the name.)
Last Thursday, the Palm Beach County School District hosted a community meeting at Seminole Ridge (with a crowd of about 50??? Can anyone confirm?) with new updates on Westlake’s forthcoming elementary school, referred to hereafter as “West Elementary”. But if we stay on our toes, that won’t be the final name.
The City of Westlake hosted the District last November, but it looks like there’s already new news!
Ground breaking begins in April 2026. Yep, next month! Completion is expected May/June 2027.
Moss Construction is on the job and this is their third project of this prototype. So Moss knows the drill (pun)! The Moss rep said that construction traffic shouldn’t be too bad, it’ll at least be predictable: entrance in the morning on Persimmon Blvd; exit in the evening via Green Lane. Moss wants to be good neighbors. There will be a phone number made available to report issues when the time comes though. Just in cases. (Love Actually).
Arden’s new Saddle View Elementary is based on the same plan as our new West Elementary. But Boca’s Blue Lake Elementary is supposedly the closest prototype to what we’ll be getting.
A lot of the following details will be confirmed, or not, this April/May by the school board. Some things aren’t for certain, like the two solar farms seen above, for example.
Also, our principal should be appointed this summer and they will be making a lot of the decisions talked about below, including who the assistant principal will be.
On hiring: expect about 100 positions to be available in a third-by-third-by-third basis, that is 1/3 from the feeder schools (e.g., GG and AP), 1/3 from the district at-large, and 1/3 of other/new applicants.
“West Elementary” (eeghughhh) sits on 12 comfortable acres, it’ll have a lake, dedicated right turn lanes, and, maybe, two solar panel farms. It is a 3-story building of 96,900 sq. ft. meant to accommodate 970 students across 52 classrooms (though partial enrollment of about 600 students is usually planned for the first year, purposefully). Feeder schools, like Golden Grove and Loxahatchee Groves, allow their rising fourth graders to stay at their own schools for fifth grade. This can reduce first-year enrollment.
The 1st floor, of beautiful polished concrete, will house kindergarteners and first graders; the 2nd floor will have second and third graders; and the 3rd floor will have the fourth and fifth graders.
West Elementary will be a K-5 general elementary program. Special program decisions won’t be made until the district’s Boundary Committee establishes the school’s boundaries this summer/fall ’26. Then gifted (ESE), ASD, dual language, choice programs, etc. will all be determined. Hopefully, Westlake parents have been proactive about getting their students screened and evaluated because this will help curate accurate programs.
There will be two main building entrances: the front local, neighborhood entrance; and the bus entrance. West Elementary has a loop that can hold 8-10 buses. Bus routes will go out this time next year. Golf carts have their own entrance and 14 cart loop. And remember, traffic should always be moving. (Do PBC Schools also have “walkers”? Anybody know?)
The school could POSSIBLY (will be voted on this summer) have two (2) solar farms, resulting in the District’s first net zero school. This would mean that it would produce at least the power it uses. The two solar farms would most likely go on the ground (rooftop panels could create openings into the “seal” of the school that could allow water and unconditioned air into the building). The price tag is not cheap, however at about $1.5 million, so the school board will have to weigh the pros and cons in their decisions this summer/fall. Oh, and panel maintenance would be provided by the County.
As of right now, Palm Beach County provides free breakfasts and lunches to all students. But we know how things can change. So this isn’t a definite for the ’27-’28 school year. We’ll have to wait and see.
The District will want colors and design elements to match the theme the City of Westlake already has going on: like the metal, glass and muted colors of the Tax Collector’s Office, Publix and the Minto Sales Center. Colors and the mascot will be decided soon because it’s part of the construction. No eagles though! They’re sold out. Otters or rabbits or greckels or a bird? A doggo??? A cat?
As for the school’s name, District policy first asks the school/community to compile a list of names. Three of those names go to the school board which will vote on the final name. So start thinking! St. August Grass Elementary, anyone?!
Security will be substantial; it is the primary goal. There’s a lot of unsaid security that goes on. But we do know that West Elementary will have concrete block external walls and windows that create a “shield” for the school. The windows are Miami-Dade hurricane approved (or HVHZ windows) that are test for a 9 lb, 6-to-8-foot long 2×4 shot at 34 mph into the window glass and frame. INSERT BIG EYES EMOJI. Then as usual, each teacher/admin and room will have a designated safe space. Strict entry will require a buzz and/or card access and will go through the main office.
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