Coconut Grove Elementary: Miami’s Oldest School Still Shaping the Future

Coconut Grove Elementary School holds a special place in Miami’s history as the city’s oldest continuously operating school. Its story begins in the late 1800s, when Coconut Grove was a small settlement on Florida’s southern coast. In 1868, Edmund Beasley homesteaded land in the area, and by 1887, pioneer Charles Peacock had built a one-room wooden schoolhouse using shipwrecked timber. This simple structure became the first public school in what is now Miami-Dade County, marking the start of a proud tradition of education in the Grove.

Formal classes began around 1889, and the little wooden building quickly became the center of community life. As the population grew, so did the need for a larger, more permanent school. In 1911, the cornerstone for the current Coconut Grove Elementary building was laid, designed by local architect H. H. Munday. The new school opened its doors that October and has remained in operation ever since, making it the oldest continuously functioning school building in the county.

Located on Matilda Street in the heart of Coconut Grove’s business district, the school has educated generations of Miami families and continues to serve a diverse and vibrant student population. Over the years, its demographics have reflected the neighborhood’s rich cultural mix, including Hispanic, Black, White, and multiracial students. Coconut Grove Elementary has always emphasized preparing students for a changing world while nurturing the multicultural spirit that defines the Grove.

Today, the school offers specialized programs that connect its history of academic excellence to global learning. These include an International Studies Program in French for students in kindergarten through fifth grade and a Spanish World Language Program for grades two through five. The programs reflect the school’s mission to foster bilingualism and cultural awareness in a global society.

While the original 1887 schoolhouse no longer sits on the same property, it has been carefully preserved as a historic landmark on the campus of Plymouth Congregational Church. The one-room structure, recognized as Miami-Dade’s first public school, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Restoration efforts have kept it intact, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience the humble beginnings of education in South Florida.

Through hurricanes and countless changes in the city around it, Coconut Grove Elementary has remained a cornerstone of its community. If you’re interested in moving to Coconut Grove and being part of a neighborhood where history and community still thrive, call 305-987-6874 to learn more about living in this timeless part of Miami.