Pinellas County Schools and YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg teamed up to build a new middle school and YMCA. As trusted and valued community partners, the two organizations have worked together for decades to provide quality before-and-afterschool programs at many of the county’s elementary and middle schools. They share a commitment to the district’s goal of 100% student success.

The bold vision of a bustling, new Y rising connected to a new public middle school represents an innovative and unique collaborative opportunity – and, notably the first of its kind in Tampa Bay. This shared campus can simultaneously address the larger needs of the students, their families and the surrounding community. By teaming up, Pinellas County Schools and the Y can eliminate barriers to access and bring low-income and high-income families together, all while promoting health, education and social equity.

About the Connected Middle School

Mangrove Bay Middle School will be a health and wellness leadership magnet school for 600 students. The school’s vision is focused on developing dynamic, confident leaders through healthy living and service learning. The magnet theme and elective offerings will be aligned to the YMCA’s areas of impact:

• Youth Development: empowering young people to reach their full potential
• Healthy Living: improving individual and community well‑being
• Social Responsibility: giving back and inspiring action in our communities

Students will attend school during the day and have access to Speer YMCA Before-and-Afterschool Care, youth sports, leadership and volunteer opportunities and fitness and wellness activities on the same campus. In this safe, supportive environment, Pinellas County Schools and the YMCA have an opportunity to empower youth throughout the community and foster tomorrow’s leaders.

The joint campus will include a 111,757 square foot two-story building, nearly half of which will be shared by the school and the Y — including the media center, dining hall, gymnasium, culinary center, pool, sports field, track and garden.

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This new YMCA campus brings the programs and services that have had such a positive impact elsewhere in St. Petersburg to neighborhoods in need of revitalization and economic development. It will be an accessible resource for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn, play and grow together.

As a community leader and innovator, the Y is committed to being a catalyst of growth and change for our community. Your support for The Y For Life Campaign will:

• Create the necessary spaces for our neighbors to flourish
• Deliver the programs to help improve quality of life for all
• Provide the long-term investments to positively impact our communities