Padilla-Pace Middle School Set to Open August 26th; Ribbon-Cutting on August 22nd
Brawley, CA – The much-anticipated Padilla-Pace Middle School is set to open its doors to students on August 26th, marking the official first day of school for the 2024-2025 academic year. The Brawley community is invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 22nd at 8:00 AM located at to celebrate this significant milestone.
The BESD Board’s decision to name the school after both Padilla and Pace reflects a commitment to honoring local heroes and providing students with positive role models. “Representation matters, and together, these two individuals represent the entirety of Brawley and the limitless potential within all children of our schools,” said Rebollar.
Mayor Ramon Castro also expressed his excitement about the new school, stating, “I’m excited to see that we’re going to bring in a new school. It’s been a long time since we had one. The kids deserve access to a new campus, and it should help with the congestion in the middle of town that we get every day during school days, during pick up and drop offs.”
Additionally on March 19, 2024, BESD announced Ivan Vildosola as the new principal of Padilla-Pace Middle School.
Historic Decision and Honoring Local Heroes
On May 9th, the Brawley Elementary School District (BESD) Board of Trustees made a historic decision to name the new middle school after two distinguished individuals who have proudly served both their country and community: Jose Padilla Sr. and Captain Scott Pace. This decision was lauded by Gil Rebollar, Brawley City Council member and Chair of the Brawley Elementary School District, for its effort to unify the community by honoring both figures simultaneously.
Legacy of Jose “Joe” Padilla Sr.
Jose Padilla Sr. immigrated to the Imperial Valley in 1928 and worked as a migrant farmworker across the state. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army, seeing action in India, Burma, and China. After the war, he settled in Brawley, raising four children with his wife, Delia Real. Padilla was a founding member of the Hidalgo Society, President of the American Citizens Club, and an active member of various local organizations. He served eight terms as a BESD Trustee, advocating for quality public education. His legacy continues through his family, many of whom are actively involved in the Brawley public school system.
Courage of Captain Scott Pace
Captain Scott Pace grew up in Brawley, excelling in academics, athletics, and community service. In 2001, he was accepted into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 2005. Pace served multiple deployments and received numerous honors, including the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. On June 6, 2012, Captain Pace was killed in action in Afghanistan while serving with Task Force Talon, 82nd Airborne Division. His sacrifice and dedication to his country remain a source of pride and inspiration for the Brawley community.
Construction and Future Plans
The estimated budget for Padilla-Pace Middle School stands at $48 million, with additional soft costs bringing the total to approximately $56 million. The school will feature three classroom buildings, a multipurpose room with a kitchen, and an administration building. It is expected to serve around 395 students in the sixth and seventh grades during the 2024-2025 school year, expanding to nearly 620 sixth-through-eighth graders by 2025-2026. Eighth graders currently attending Barbara Worth Junior High School will complete their middle school education there.
The opening of Padilla-Pace Middle School marks a new chapter for the Brawley community, reflecting its rich history and dedication to education and unity.