Doral’s Magnet Program Debuts in August, DFJ Named Partner
By: Diana Bello Aristizábal
DORAL, FL – The first-ever Doral’s magnet program— which started receiving applications in April 15— will be launched in August and Doral Family Journal is one of its partners, aiming to support the needs of students and to increase their learning opportunities.
DREcomm Center for Communications at Dr. Rolando Espinosa K-8 Center will give students from kindergarten through 8th grade the chance to explore media, broadcasting, journalism, storytelling, and public speaking just steps away from networks like Univision and Telemundo.
Its dynamic curriculum was made to provide real-world experiences and media connections, and hands on learning in specific areas such as podcasting or video production.
As a result, students will build confidence, increase their self-esteem, expand their knowledge about who they are and what they can possibly do, learn how to effectively communicate from an early age and prepare for advanced high school magnet programs in media and communications.
“I’m pretty happy and excited because it’s the first magnet program in Doral,” said principal Phil Alexander Mato to Doral Family Journal. He said when he started his administrative career at a Doral school, he remembers asking himself why the city didn’t have a magnet yet, so what is now a reality it’s something he always had in the back of his mind.
“We have all these media outlets here that I thought we could really do something with these networks,” said principal Mato, while noting establishing partnerships with outlets like Doral Family Journal opens the possibility of connecting kids with mentorship, collaboration and internship opportunities. “Maybe they can write news articles and get it published in Doral Family Journal, for example.”
And since it’s a school-wide magnet, the immersion into the communications world starts from prekindergarten with an embedded curriculum, while from 6th to 8th grade kids can choose electives specific to the magnet such as social media, broadcasting, sound production and podcasting.
Younger students will have general assignments, ranging from writing an article to making a video or a storyboard about a story they created and present it to their classmates.
“I wanted Dr. Rolando Espinosa school to stand out from the other K-8’s, and I feel we have so much potential here with our students and staff,” said principal Mato about the motivation behind turning the school into a magnet school.
A magnet that can bring significant long-term value to students even if they decide not to pursue a professional career in communications as the skills learned— i.e. persuasion, storytelling, interviewing, reporting, relationship building or public speaking— can be well transferred into multiple fields.
“Let’s say you want to be a teacher; you’ve got to be able to talk to kids and parents. You can do anything, really, with communication skills,” cements principal Mato.
So far, even months away from starting the magnet, the response from the community has been positive. “I’ve had parents come to the counter and say that they’re very excited because they were considering going to another school, but now they feel it will be great for their child to participate in the program.”
Students are also pleased with the turn the school took. “They wish we would have started this sooner. We’ve done like one or two podcasts here at the school with our students, a memory book, we have photojournalism as an elective, and the kids really enjoy all that,” said principal Matos.
Applications for new students for the 2025-2026 school year will remain open until all seats are filled or until the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, whichever comes first. M-DCPS encourages families to apply promptly to secure their child’s future seat.
Applications for Magnet programs will be accepted exclusively online through the M-DCPS Parent Portal at dadeschools.net.