Rodriguez Elementary to provide unique learning environment

San Marcos CISD marked the opening of its newest elementary school with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday.

A crowd of over 200 attended the event at Rodriguez Elementary School. Kash Greathouse, the school’s principal, highlighted the atmosphere at Rodriguez Elementary.

“As you can see this is an amazing environment,” Greathouse said. “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.”

Personalized learning is an emphasis in Rodriguez Elementary’s design.

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.

“It’s very focused on personalized learning. Our principal Mr. Kash Greathouse was able to pick and hand-select the teachers that will be teaching at this campus. He’s excited for the future school year,” said Andrew Fernandez, SMCISD Executive Director of Communications and Community Relations.

Rodriguez Elementary, which will begin classes on Monday for the 2019-2020 school year, is located in the Trace subdivision at 1481 Esplanade Parkway. The SMCISD board of trustees voted to name the school 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 Wednesday’s event. “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.”

Rodriguez Elementary School Principal Kash Greathouse speaks at the school’s ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday. 

SMCISD wants Rodriguez Elementary to provide a unique experience for its students. Fernandez said it’s the “age of adjusting to students,” and the new school will provide great opportunities for every type of learner.

“We don’t want to create a school based on what we think is best because every single student is different,” Fernandez said. “So the school and you know, all of our district is trying to create an atmosphere to where we’re creating a learning experience for each individualized student ... Here in San Marcos, we want to fit everything around the needs of our students and, you know, Rodriguez is another step in that right direction for us as a district. And all of our campuses provide a different opportunity for students. And that’s why, you know, we want our students to be comfortable in their learning environment.”

Rodriguez Elementary School Principal Kash Greathouse leads San Marcos CISD school board members, administrators and guests on a tour of the school after Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

The new school will open at half capacity this school year with around 300 students enrolled. 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 said. “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.”