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Miramar shut down a private school. The school’s owner sued. Here’s what to know

By Produced using AI, based on original work by Luisa Yanez
A settlement ended the breach of contract suit against Miramar for closing Light Academy two days into the 2025-26 school year.
A settlement ended the breach of contract suit against Miramar for closing Light Academy two days into the 2025-26 school year. Getty Images

The City of Miramar approved a settlement ending a lawsuit filed by the Light Academy of Florida over the private middle school’s abrupt 2025 shutdown at Vizcaya Park.

Neither party admits wrongdoing under the agreement, which was approved Wednesday, May 6, by the City Commission, according to a city resolution.

The school’s owner, Cassandre Davis, had sued the city for breach of contract. It’s unknown if money exchanged hands.

The Miramar News has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain the details of the settlement between the city and the school.

FULL STORY: Miramar City Commission settles lawsuit over sudden closure of Light Academy

Here are key takeaways:

  • The Miramar City Commission approved the settlement after a closed-door executive session. The resolution states the agreement was reached to avoid continued litigation and resolve all claims.
  • The Light Academy was shut down just two days into the 2025-2026 school year and ejected from Vizcaya Park, 14200 SW 55th St. Davis said the only explanation she received involved the usage of public bathrooms.
  • “To this day I still don’t know why the city closed us down the way they did,” Davis told the Miramar News before learning of the settlement.
  • Davis sued the city in Broward County court, alleging breach of contract, wrongful eviction and interference with a contractual relationship. When the city blocked access to the facility, students, parents and staff gathered at City Hall demanding answers but received none, Davis said.
  • The city’s Risk Management Department recommended approval, and City Manager Roy Virgin was authorized to finalize the agreement.
  • The Light Academy is preparing to reopen at a brick-and-mortar location at 6161 NW 22nd Ave. in Liberty City.

This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.