When school opens Aug. 24, Aventura Waterways will have a tough act to follow -- its own.

In its first year, the school exceeded expectations on virtually every level, including winning an A grade from the state Department of Education.

Principal Luis Bello guides Aventura Waterways School into its second year.

The new school on the corner of NE 211th Terrace and NE 26th Avenue was designed to draw from areas previously served by Ojus, Highland Oaks, Greynolds Park and Madie Ives elementary schools.

On opening day, Principal Luis Bello was expecting more than 900 students in grades K-6, but the pupils kept coming. By January, the headcount hit 1,311. And therein lies just one of the challenges ahead.

The building is designed to hold 1,642 pupils. With the addition of seventh grade this year, the headcount will easily top 1,500 and that raises concerns about what might happen with the addition of eighth grade in 2010.

Bello admits to being surprised by the level of enthusiasm for the first-year school. He says the idea of a new facility with the latest technology is one draw. But he knows the tough economy played a role too, as cash-strapped parents weighed  private school tuition bills and decided to give public education a fresh look.

He also knows some parents are likely bending the boundary rules to get their children into the new school. He says policing that situation is one of the uncomfortable parts of his job but the escalating headcount is forcing his hand. Expect a tougher look this year, he warns parents who may be fudging on residency.

District-wide budget cuts have resulted in the loss of 14 teachers from last year but new teaching positions have been added to handle the seventh grade classrooms. Classes likely will be a little larger but still within state guidelines, Bello assures.

He's proud of the school's A rating and promises a maximum effort to repeat that performance. It'll be tougher this year and even tougher next year when the eight grade is added. Pupil performance against grade-level expectations peaks around third or fourth grade, he says. Adding later grades makes getting an A from the state tougher.

He says he feels no sense of competition with the neighborhood's other new schools -- Aventura Charter and Sunny Isles Community School.  Each is different, he says -- Aventura Charter gets to pick its students while Waterways takes all who show up and Sunny Isles Community, while public, has a vastly different demographic.

Aventura Waterways' maritime theme runs throughout, with each grade level assigned a study theme. Models of various species adorn the art walk area outside the dining areas. This year, a mascot is likely to take shape, although just what that shape will be remains uncertain.

Enrollment at Aventura Waterways School exceeds expectations.

The media center, arts programs and dual-language programs are listed as high points.

But the school still has unmet needs. A visit to the school's website -- http://aventurawaterwaysk8.dadeschools.net -- reveals a set of wishlists, broken down by grade and subject. And those lists may grow with further budget cuts expected.

Efi Inan, incoming president of the PTSA, is confident parents will rise to the  challenge and provide the needed items. She is developing a more active fundraising program that includes looking for business sponsors and governmental involvement.

(See related story on Inan and the PTSA at

http://talkofaventura.com/2009/07/13/waterways-ptsa-president-sets-ambitious-goals/ )

Tagged as: Aventura Waterways, Luis Bello