Coral Reef Elementary School

Coral Reef Elementary School in Palmetto Bay, FL, is a high-performing public school serving 696 students in grades PK through 5 within the Miami-Dade district, and it has earned a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger for ten consecutive years, placing it consistently in the top 10% of all Florida elementary schools.

What truly sets Coral Reef apart is its balanced, elite performance across all subjects and grades, with proficiency rates ranging from 76% to 84% in the most recent testing year. Its 5th-grade science scores are a standout differentiator, with 79% of students proficient compared to the district (59%) and state (60%) averages—significantly higher than nearby schools like Howard Drive Elementary School (56%) and Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy Of The Arts (57%). The school also boasts exceptionally low chronic absenteeism at 14.8%, roughly half the district and state averages, and far better than Johnnie M Parris Colonial Drive Elementary School (26.8%). While it is outperformed by elite magnet/charter schools like Palmetto Elementary School and True North Classical Academy At Pinecrest, Coral Reef remains a top-tier choice in the region, serving a more diverse socioeconomic population (28.3% free/reduced lunch) while still delivering outstanding results.

An interesting finding is that spending does not predict success here: the lowest-performing school in the area, Robert Russa Moton Elementary School, spends the most per student ($22,696), while Coral Reef spends a moderate $13,338 per student. However, parents should note a slight downward trend in Coral Reef’s state ranking, from the 95th percentile in 2022-2023 to the 91st percentile for the last two years—a trend worth monitoring but not alarming given its continued excellence.