The newspaper reported that McKoy called families who had students in the school telling them that MAST was the No. 1 Miami-Dade County School in the central region for the most COVID-19 positive cases, and blamed the cases on students having parties, get-togethers and sleepovers without masks. According to the school’s dashboard, MAST Academy has a total of 46 cases, which is the tenth most of schools in Miami-Dade County. Email from MAST Academy Principal Derick McKoy:This is Dr. McKoy, principal of MAST Academy calling with a very important message. MAST Academy is the number one school in Central Region with the most number of COVID positive cases.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – As Broward County continues to move forward with beginning in-person learning for district students, Local 10 has confirmed several positive COVID-19 cases in both public and charter schools. “They must wear a face covering including the weight room and physical education classes,” said Broward School Board General Counsel Barbara J. Myrick. The school district made the decision to temporarily shut down the campus after two students tested positive for COVID-19. MAST is one of several Miami-Dade County public schools to have new COVID-19 cases after reopening in early October. The superintendent said as of Monday afternoon, 10 students and one employee in the school district tested positive for the virus since physical schooling resumed.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – One public school in Miami-Dade County temporarily went back to virtual learning just a week after schools began reopening. MAST Academy closed its campus Monday after two students tested positive for COVID-19. The wellbeing of our students and employees is our top priority at Miami-Dade County Public Schools.”MAST, however, isn’t alone with coronavirus cases. Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ dashboard shows new cases at Flagami Elementary, Royal Green Elementary, North Dade Center for Modern Languages Elementary and two at Coral Park Elementary. When asked why MAST Academy was shut down after the COVID-19 cases, while other schools with positive cases have remained open, Zea noted that high schoolers are moving around more than others at school.