San Marcos Consolidated ISD opened its newest elementary school in August. Rodriguez Elementary School is designed to emphasize personalized learning. With pod classrooms, flexible furniture, multiple science wet labs, art classrooms that open to AstroTurfed courtyards that encourage outdoor art, an amphitheater and library with a media center, Rodriguez is unlike any other San Marcos CISD elementary school.
“As you can see this is an amazing environment,” principal Kash Greathouse said at the school’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We’ll get to see what kind of experience our students are going to have inside these classrooms … Our students are definitely worth each and everything we will give them here at Rodriguez. And we will definitely as a team come together with the help of our district, with the help of our community, with the help of our Rodriguez family to make this place what it’s intended to be.”
Rodriguez Elementary School Principal Kash Greathouse gives a tour of San Marcos Consolidated ISD’s newest school following a ribbon-cutting ceremony in August.
Rodriguez Elementary — located in the Trace subdivision at 1481 Esplanade Parkway — is named after Solia Rodriguez, Carlos Rodriguez and Velia R. Cavazos, who all made contributions to the San Marcos education system.
“(Carlos Rodriguez) was always a fervent believer in the importance of a good, solid education,” said Carlos Rodriguez Jr., who spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “He impressed that on us as a family … We’re all confident here that the staff, faculty and administrators of Rodriguez Elementary will demonstrate the same commitment, dedication and professionalism as did Dr. Rodriguez. Also, they will make sure that all students learn and be motivated to achieve to the best of their abilities. Lastly, I want to say that the family is very proud and deeply honored to have this new school named Rodriguez Elementary in recognition of the family and a reflection of the community.”
The new school opened at half capacity for the 2019-2020 school year with around 300 students enrolled. SMCISD Executive Director of Communications and Community Relations Andrew Fernandez said keeping Rodriguez Elementary at half capacity will help alleviate overcrowding throughout the district.
“We’re a growing community, and we’re a growing School District, not as fast as we anticipated, but we are growing and we want our community to know that with the addition of a new elementary school we’re fully prepared for the growth,” Fernandez told the Daily Record in August. “The fact that we’re opening up at half capacity really tells how proactive our school board was when it comes to the amount of students in classrooms and on campuses. We feel that our teachers could best educate our students with the right numbers in the classroom.
“And so, this campus helps us, you know, alleviate, any overcrowding, helps us prepare for the future and for people who are outside this community, we welcome them into this community for the learning experiences that we’re providing here in San Marcos CISD.”
