Summary:
This analysis examines nine high schools in Hialeah, Florida, serving grades 9-12 (with one 6-12 academy), all part of the Miami-Dade school district, and reveals a landscape of stark contrasts where high graduation rates often mask significant academic challenges.
The standout performer is Jose Marti Mast 6-12 Academy, which ranks in the top 3% of Florida high schools with a 100% graduation rate and exceptional test scores, while also having the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (17%) in the area. In contrast, traditional public schools like Hialeah Senior High School and Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High rank in the bottom 22nd percentile despite spending more per student. Mater Academy Lakes High School performs well as a strong contender, achieving above-average scores despite having the highest student-teacher ratio (25:1) and a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students.
A critical finding is that chronic absenteeism is a systemic crisis, with seven of nine schools exceeding 40% absenteeism—well above the state average of 31.4%. Additionally, spending does not correlate with success; the lowest-performing schools spend the most per student, while top performers like Jose Marti Mast spend less. Charter and magnet schools consistently outperform traditional public schools, and the near-universal graduation rates (all above 96%) do not reflect the low academic proficiency in many schools, such as American Senior High School where only 26% of students are proficient in Algebra 1.
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