Best High Schools in Miami, FL

Miami, Florida is home to 71 high schools, serving grades 9-12, primarily within the Miami-Dade district, which ranks in the 71st percentile statewide. The schools range from massive comprehensive campuses with over 4,000 students to small alternative centers, and the data reveals a clear divide between top-tier magnet and charter schools and those facing significant challenges.

The city's standout performers are almost exclusively magnet and charter schools with specialized missions. Terra Environmental Research Institute and Archimedean Upper Conservatory both rank in the top 10 in the state, boasting 100% graduation rates and near-perfect test scores. Miami Arts Studio 6-12 At Zelda Glazer has the lowest chronic absenteeism in the city at just 3.7%, while large comprehensive schools like Coral Reef Senior High School also achieve 5-star ratings with a 100% graduation rate. In stark contrast, schools like Green Springs High School and Stellar Leadership Academy rank near the bottom of the state, with graduation rates below 50% and chronic absenteeism exceeding 70%.

Chronic absenteeism emerges as the strongest predictor of a school's performance, with a near-perfect inverse correlation to test scores and graduation rates. Interestingly, high per-student spending does not guarantee success; the most expensive schools are small alternative centers serving at-risk populations with poor academic outcomes, while efficient top performers like Terra Environmental spend far less. The average graduation rate across Miami high schools is a solid 93.1%, but the range is extreme, from 100% at 14 schools to 0% at others. The socioeconomic divide is also stark, though exceptions like International Studies Charter High School prove that a high percentage of students on free/reduced lunch does not preclude a 5-star ranking.