Mater Academy Charter High School

Mater Academy Charter High School in Hialeah Gardens, FL, is a large public charter school serving 1,611 students in grades 9-12 within the Miami-Dade district, where nearly 78% of students come from low-income households.

The school’s standout strength is its exceptional graduation rate, which reached 98.5% in the 2024-2025 school year—far exceeding the district average of 93.1% and the state average of 92.2%. This is especially impressive given the high poverty level. However, academic performance is uneven. Mater Academy excels in math, with 73% of students proficient in Algebra 1 and 69% in Geometry, both above district and state averages. Yet, it struggles significantly in Biology 1 (56% proficient vs. 75% district) and U.S. History (59% proficient vs. 76% district). A major concern is chronic absenteeism, which has skyrocketed to 44.9% in 2023-2024, far above the district rate of 28.2%. This likely contributes to the school’s overall middle-of-the-pack ranking in the 67th percentile.

Interesting comparisons with nearby schools highlight these challenges. Mater Performing Arts & Entertainment Academy, which shares the same campus and serves a similar demographic, is a 5-star school with near-perfect test scores, suggesting that the Mater brand can achieve elite results with a more specialized focus. Meanwhile, Jose Marti Mast 6-12 Academy, just half a mile away, is a top-tier school with 99% proficiency in Algebra 1 and a low 17% chronic absenteeism rate, but it serves a wealthier population. Mater Academy’s spending per student ($9,275) is higher than some outperforming schools like Barbara Goleman Senior High ($9,738), indicating that resource allocation, not just spending, drives success. In short, Mater Academy is a solid option with strong graduation support, but families should be aware of its absenteeism issues and uneven academic profile.