Emma Rodriguez has attended Kirkland Ranch K-8 in Wesley Chapel since the school opened two years ago. Now an eighth grader, she'll walk the same hallways Thursday, Aug. 13, that she first entered as a sixth grader, surrounded by teachers who have known her since day one.

"I really like it especially because they're always growing and always doing new things so that's what I love about it," Rodriguez told Tampa Bay 28 on Monday, Aug. 10.

Rodriguez is one face of a model Pasco County Schools is betting on districtwide. The district now operates six K-8 campuses after opening two new schools for the 2026-27 year: Pasco K-8 in Dade City on the east side and Paul R. Smith K-8 in Holiday on the west side. They join Kirkland Ranch K-8, Skybrooke K-8 in Lutz (opened 2025-26) and two other existing campuses.

Superintendent: Model addresses opposite problems on each side of the county

Superintendent John Legg said the expansion serves different needs on each side of the county.

"On the west side, we have declining enrollment," Legg said Monday, Aug. 10. "On the east side of the county, however, enrollment is stable over there. However, what we see is the K-8s offer unique academic opportunities for students."

The numbers back that up. District enrollment in traditional schools dropped by 1,393 students in the most recent year, while voucher participation grew by 1,965 and charter enrollment rose by 941, according to figures presented at a school board workshop. Nine elementary schools on the west side sit below 70% capacity. Consolidating underused elementary and middle campuses into K-8 buildings addresses that decline while keeping neighborhood schools open.

Wesley Chapel growth drives a $19.5 million expansion

On the east side, growth remains concentrated near Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills, according to a May 2026 enrollment presentation. Kirkland Ranch K-8 already has 1,613 student stations, and the school board approved a $19.5 million classroom addition with Williams Company Tampa on May 5 to add 700 more seats across 40 classrooms.

Parents cite stability and fewer school transitions

For Kirkland Ranch families, the pitch is simpler: fewer transitions, more stability.

Marcos Padron, whose child is in fourth grade at the school, said fewer moves between campuses matter emotionally. He told Tampa Bay 28 that switching schools is traumatic for children who have to leave behind familiar teachers and surroundings, and that reducing those transitions makes a real difference.

Parent Natalya Leal said the K-8 model makes logistics easier for families with multiple children.

Legg framed the benefit in terms of staffing continuity, saying teachers at K-8 schools know students from kindergarten through eighth grade, creating consistency in academics, behavior expectations and care that traditional school transitions can disrupt.

Two Rivers K-8 planned for 2028 opening

Pasco County's first day of school is Thursday, Aug. 13. Kirkland Ranch K-8 bells ring at 8:40 a.m., with dismissal at 3 p.m.

The district isn't done expanding the model in Wesley Chapel. Another campus, Two Rivers K-8, is planned to open in 2028 under an approximately $78 million construction contract already approved by the school board.