Tropical Elementary School

Summary:

Tropical Elementary School is a public elementary school in Miami, Florida, serving 396 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Miami-Dade school district, which is ranked 24th out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Tropical Elementary School stands out for its significantly higher Hispanic student population, ranging from 94.91% to 96.88% over the past three school years, compared to the surrounding schools which have a more diverse racial makeup. The school has also experienced higher chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 21.3% to 30.8% over the past four school years, which is notably higher than the nearby schools. While the school's test scores in English Language Arts and Math are generally lower than the Miami-Dade and Florida state averages, there are some exceptions, such as the school's 4th-grade ELA proficiency rate of 85% in 2023-2024, which is significantly higher than the district and state averages.

Tropical Elementary School has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 63.13% to 83.89% over the past three school years, indicating a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students compared to the surrounding schools. The school also has a relatively high per-student spending, ranging from $17,394 to $20,743 over the past four school years, which is higher than the nearby schools. Interestingly, some of the nearby charter schools, such as True North Classical Academy at Pinecrest and True North Classical Academy at Gateway, have significantly higher test scores and overall performance, suggesting that the school's performance may be influenced by factors beyond just the school's resources and demographics.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 4545 SW 104th Ave
       Miami, FL  33165


(305) 221-0284

District: Miami-Dade

SchoolDigger Rank:
781st of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $20,743 Help


Students who attend Tropical Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Riviera Middle School
High:    Southwest Miami Senior High

Student/teacher ratio:  14.1 Help
Number of students:  396

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
96.5%
White:
2.5%
African American:
0.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  63.1% Help


 See top rated Florida elementary schools

 Compare Tropical Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Tropical Elementary School ranks better than 65.4% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 114th among 281 ranked elementary schools in the Miami-Dade School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 63.7. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (96.5%), White (2.5%), African American (0.8%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 63.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Tropical Elementary School is 14.1, which is the 34th best among 281 elementary schools in the Miami-Dade School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Tropical Elementary School employs 28 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Tropical Elementary School is $20,743, which is the 11th highest among 281 elementary schools in the Miami-Dade School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Tropical Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Miami-Dade:

SchoolDigger ranks Miami-Dade 24th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Tropical Elementary School?

Rank History for Tropical Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 45.50 955th 1688 43.4%
2007 25.84 1405th 1786 21.3%
2008 33.04 1283rd 1789 28.3%
2009 27.32 1442nd 1847 21.9%
2010 49.62 1041st 1919 45.8%
2011 49.33 1065th 1985 46.3%
2012 56.42 870th 1984 56.1%
2013 41.73 1190th 2029 41.4%
2014 56.97 886th 2064 57.1%
2016 43.38 1184th 2087 43.3%
2017 41.46 1243rd 2112 41.1%
2018 55.41 903rd 2118 57.4%
2019 43.08 1241st 2182 43.1%
2021 61.90 810th 2247 64.0%
2022 44.20 1220th 2219 45.0%
2023 32.94 1526th 2240 31.9%
2024 63.70 781st 2256 65.4%
See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Tropical Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

by a parent
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Open Quote I love the school, teachers, and staff. I myself attended Tropical...and loved it. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Tropical Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 140 17 2 449 0 n/a n/a 0 608
1989 156 27 2 488 0 n/a n/a 0 673
1990 155 28 6 544 0 n/a n/a 0 733
1991 148 24 5 437 0 n/a n/a 0 614
1992 164 28 7 459 0 n/a n/a 0 658
1993 165 27 5 457 0 n/a n/a 0 654
1994 147 24 11 444 0 n/a n/a 0 626
1995 131 28 9 459 0 n/a n/a 0 627
1996 131 28 9 459 0 n/a n/a 0 627
1997 113 21 7 466 0 n/a n/a 0 607
1998 106 24 11 505 0 n/a n/a 0 646
1999 96 26 16 522 0 n/a n/a 0 660
2000 88 30 13 532 0 n/a n/a 0 663
2001 64 25 13 529 0 n/a n/a 0 631
2002 55 16 14 502 0 n/a n/a 0 587
2003 55 16 14 502 0 n/a n/a 0 587
2004 46 16 6 488 0 n/a n/a 0 556
2005 45 13 5 480 0 n/a n/a 0 543
2006 43 12 4 464 0 n/a n/a 0 523
2007 40 11 4 410 0 n/a n/a 4 469
2008 29 8 4 440 0 n/a n/a 4 485
2009 32 5 2 432 0 n/a n/a 4 475
2010 27 4 4 426 0 n/a n/a 0 461
2011 21 5 4 427 0 0 0 0 457
2012 18 2 1 415 0 0 0 0 436
2013 20 8 0 465 0 0 0 0 493
2014 14 8 0 457 0 0 0 0 479
2015 12 9 4 416 1 0 0 0 442
2016 7 11 2 393 1 0 0 0 414
2017 8 14 2 406 1 0 0 0 431
2018 10 8 5 409 1 0 0 0 433
2019 11 6 4 407 1 0 0 0 429
2020 8 5 3 409 1 0 1 0 427
2021 7 4 2 403 0 0 0 0 416
2022 14 2 3 354 0 0 0 0 373
2023 10 3 1 382 0 0 0 0 396

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Tropical Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 608 50.0 12.1 33.2
1989 673 53.0 12.6 30.9
1990 733 61.0 12.0 36.7
1991 614 56.0 10.9 35.7
1992 658 56.0 11.7 35.4
1993 654 55.0 11.9 37.6
1994 626 58.0 10.8 38.5
1995 627 59.0 10.6 46.7
1996 627 59.0 10.6 46.7
1997 607 57.0 10.6 41.2
1998 646 63.0 10.3 41.5
1999 660 64.0 10.3 53.3
2000 663 61.0 10.9 55.8
2001 631 61.0 10.3 57.4
2002 587 59.0 9.9 64.1
2003 587 59.0 9.9 64.1
2004 556 59.0 9.4 73.7
2005 543 64.0 8.5 73.7
2006 523 68.0 7.7 71.1
2007 469 49.0 9.6 69.9
2008 485 61.5 7.9 67.6
2009 475 56.7 8.4 66
2010 461 52.5 8.7 79.2
2011 457 52.0 8.7 76.4
2012 436 54.0 8.0 78.7
2013 493 41.0 12.0 79.9
2014 479 41.0 11.6 81.2
2015 442 37.0 11.9 80.5
2016 414 33.0 12.5 84.5
2017 431 31.0 13.9 82.8
2018 433 34.0 12.7 81.5
2019 429 34.0 12.6 81.6
2020 427 34.0 12.5 82
2021 416 34.0 12.2 83.9
2022 373 29.0 12.8 79.4
2023 396 28.0 14.1 63.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Tropical Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 608 50.0 12.1 33.2
1989 673 53.0 12.6 30.9
1990 733 61.0 12.0 36.7
1991 614 56.0 10.9 35.7
1992 658 56.0 11.7 35.4
1993 654 55.0 11.9 37.6
1994 626 58.0 10.8 38.5
1995 627 59.0 10.6 46.7
1996 627 59.0 10.6 46.7
1997 607 57.0 10.6 41.2
1998 646 63.0 10.3 41.5
1999 660 64.0 10.3 53.3
2000 663 61.0 10.9 55.8
2001 631 61.0 10.3 57.4
2002 587 59.0 9.9 64.1
2003 587 59.0 9.9 64.1
2004 556 59.0 9.4 73.7
2005 543 64.0 8.5 73.7
2006 523 68.0 7.7 71.1
2007 469 49.0 9.6 69.9
2008 485 61.5 7.9 67.6
2009 475 56.7 8.4 66
2010 461 52.5 8.7 79.2
2011 457 52.0 8.7 76.4
2012 436 54.0 8.0 78.7
2013 493 41.0 12.0 79.9
2014 479 41.0 11.6 81.2
2015 442 37.0 11.9 80.5
2016 414 33.0 12.5 84.5
2017 431 31.0 13.9 82.8
2018 433 34.0 12.7 81.5
2019 429 34.0 12.6 81.6
2020 427 34.0 12.5 82
2021 416 34.0 12.2 83.9
2022 373 29.0 12.8 79.4
2023 396 28.0 14.1 63.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Tropical Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $2,196 (13.7%) $13,788 (86.3%) $15,984
2019 $1,665 (10.6%) $14,101 (89.4%) $15,765
2020 $1,802 (10.4%) $15,592 (89.6%) $17,394
2021 $3,213 (17.3%) $15,411 (82.7%) $18,624
2022 $4,161 (20.5%) $16,173 (79.5%) $20,335
2023 $4,697 (22.6%) $16,046 (77.4%) $20,743

Data source: Florida Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Tropical Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1241st of 2182 Elementary schoolsRanks 1526th of 2240 Elementary schools
 11.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Tropical Elementary School)7439
 35%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Miami-Dade)6056
 4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5853
 5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Tropical Elementary School)7753
 24%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Miami-Dade)6760
 7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)6258
 4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Tropical Elementary School)4456
 12%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Miami-Dade)6462
 2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5857
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Tropical Elementary School)5154
 3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Miami-Dade)6965
 4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6461
 3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Tropical Elementary School)4151
 10%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Miami-Dade)6059
 1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5655
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Tropical Elementary School)4356
 13%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Miami-Dade)6554
 11%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6052
 8%
5th Grade Science (Tropical Elementary School)3742
 5%
   5th Grade Science (Miami-Dade)5350
 3%
   5th Grade Science (Florida)5351
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students429396
 7.7%
African American63
 50%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian41
 75%
Hispanic407382
 6.1%
Pacific Islander00
White1110
 9.1%
Two or More Races00
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients81.6%63.1%
 18.5%


Schools Near Tropical Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Tropical Elementary School

In the 2022-23 school year, 396 students attended Tropical Elementary School.

Tropical Elementary School ranks 781st of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Tropical Elementary School are 96% Hispanic, 3% White.

Students who attend Tropical Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Riviera Middle School
High : Southwest Miami Senior High


Rate Tropical Elementary School!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Tropical Elementary School!




SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 43 milliseconds.