Miami-Dade's newest school is set to open Monday, and while the final touches are still being made, everyone involved says it will be a home run.
The Sports Leadership and Management charter school, known as SLAM, is part of Mater Academy and will specialize in everything sports, from broadcasting and marketing to sports medicine.
"Everybody loves sports, we are all a fan," Principal Alex Tamargo said. "Everybody knows the Heat, everybody knows the Marlins, the Dolphins. So what we decided to do is infuse athletics into the curriculum."
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The Little Havana school, which will run a 6th through 11th grade this year and add a 12th grade next year, is partnering with the Miami Marlins for the sports aspect of the curriculum.
Once students reach 10th grade, they will begin interning with different organizations like the Marlins and ESPN Deportes.
The school is the first of its kind in the country, but the trend is catching on quickly. At least 27 other schools like this one are expected to open across the country in the next few years.
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'Mr. 305' himself is showing support for the new concept. Rapper Pitbull has helped publicize the school and invested in educational programs while the school gets up and running.
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"He visits our schools," Tamargo said. "He's giving back to the community where he grew up, Little Havana, and he feels very strongly about this project."
In the meantime, students are already looking forward to the first day of classes.
"I know the teachers are going to be great, and they are going to relate everything to sports, which will make it even more interesting," student Maite Chirino said.
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