Brevard Public Schools Breaks Ground on New K–12 Separate Day School on Kennedy Middle School Campus in Rockledge

Separate Day School integrates academic instruction with behavioral and emotional support

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Brevard Public Schools held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday to celebrate the construction of its new Separate Day School, a state-of-the-art K–12 facility dedicated to supporting students with significant behavioral and emotional needs.

The event marks a major milestone in the district’s commitment to expanding specialized services that ensure all students have access to the resources, structure, and individualized support they need to succeed.

The new school will be built on the Kennedy Middle School campus in Rockledge and will provide a highly structured, therapeutic learning environment.

The facility will feature innovative spaces, dedicated behavioral and mental health supports, and specialized programming tailored to meet the unique needs of its students. ‑health supports, and specialized programming tailored to meet the unique needs of its students.

The new Separate Day School will serve K–12 students and provide a comprehensive, therapeutic approach that integrates academic instruction with behavioral and emotional support.

The district selected this site because its central location provides a fair, balanced commute for students across Brevard County, ensuring accessibility for the families we serve.

The facility will include: 

■ Highly structured classrooms
■ Sensory regulation spaces
■ Mental‑health and therapeutic support areas
■ Design elements tailored for safety, calmness, and predictability
■ Technology‑enhanced learning tools
■ Outdoor spaces designed for structured play and emotional regulation

The project is made possible without incurring district debt, reflecting BPS’s commitment to responsible stewardship while expanding services for vulnerable student populations.

Matt Susin, School Board Chair
“This project embodies our belief that every student in Brevard deserves the opportunity to learn in an environment built specifically for their success. Breaking ground today means we are building more than a school—we are building stability, hope, and a future where students with the greatest needs have access to the strongest support. I couldn’t be prouder of our district for investing in these children and for taking a bold step toward transforming lives for years to come.”

Megan Wright, School Board Member, District 1
“I am so incredibly excited and proud to break ground on a school that will serve our most vulnerable student population in Brevard. These children face daily challenges most of us can’t imagine, and they take them head-on and teach us what really matters! We are ecstatic to open this brand-new school—incurring no debt to the district—that will change generations to come!”

Gene Trent, School Board Member, District 2
“This groundbreaking is more than the start of a construction project—it is a promise to our students and families that we see them; we value them; and we are committed to giving them every opportunity to thrive. Gardendale Separate Day School will be a place built with intention, compassion, and high expectations, ensuring that every child has access to the supportive environment they deserve.”

John Thomas, School Board Member, District 3
“Gardendale’s groundbreaking represents a powerful commitment to meeting students where they are and providing the specialized support they need to succeed. Gardendale Separate Day School will be a place of hope, growth, and opportunity for students, families, and our entire community.”

Katye Campbell, School Board Member, District 5
“As a district, we often talk about meeting students’ needs—but this school is a living example of what it looks like to truly put those words into action. Every child who enters these doors deserves to be seen, supported, and understood, and this facility ensures they will never face their challenges alone. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has worked tirelessly to make this vision a reality for our students and their families.”

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