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John A. Ferguson Senior High

Q: Is John A. Ferguson Senior High a good school?

John A. Ferguson Senior High ranks 189 th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public, Magnet Grades 9-12

189^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 838 Florida High Schools

Better than 77% of Florida high schools

Summary

John A. Ferguson Senior High is a large, traditional public high school in Miami, FL, serving 4,291 students in grades 9 through 12 within the Miami-Dade district, and it stands out as a high-performing, cost-effective anchor school in a neighborhood filled with elite magnet and charter options.

Ferguson’s most impressive feat is its near-perfect graduation rate of 99.5% over the last five years, a remarkable achievement for a school of its size. This rate far exceeds other large neighborhood schools like G. Holmes Braddock Senior High (96.0%) and Miami Sunset Senior High School (90.7%). The school also delivers strong academic results, with 75% of 10th graders proficient in English Language Arts and 80% proficient in Biology, outperforming schools with similar economic demographics like Felix Varela Senior High School. Notably, Ferguson achieves this with the lowest per-student spending in the area at $9,301, making it a highly efficient use of resources compared to schools like Archimedean Upper Conservatory ($13,405).

However, the school faces a paradox with chronic absenteeism at 36.4%, higher than the district and state averages, yet this doesn't seem to impact its graduation rate, suggesting strong support systems for students. Another quirk is its math performance: while Geometry proficiency (62%) is above average, Algebra 1 proficiency (52%) lags behind the district (69%), pointing to a possible instructional gap. While elite magnet schools like Terra Environmental Research Institute and Miami Arts Studio 6-12 At Zelda Glazer post higher test scores, Ferguson remains the reliable, comprehensive option for most students in its zone, offering a high-quality education at an unmatched scale.

4,291

Students ?

26.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,301

Per pupil spending ?

38.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

15900 SW 56th St
Miami, FL 33185

(305) 408-2700

District: Miami-Dade

Feeder schools for John A. Ferguson Senior High:

Elementary:	Bowman Ashe/Doolin K-8 Academy
	Dr. Manuel C. Barreiro Elementary School
	Jane S. Roberts K-8 Center
	Zora Neale Hurston Elementary School
Middle:	Lamar Louise Curry Middle School
	W. R. Thomas Middle School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

93.9%

White:

3.0%

Asian:

1.6%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare John A. Ferguson Senior High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 85th percentile in 2023 → 77th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (72% vs 64% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 23% of Florida high schools

✓100% graduate in 4 years — above the Florida average (92%)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped from its 85th-percentile peak (2023) to 77th (2026)

!Algebra 1 scores 11 pts below the Florida average

!Large classes — about 27 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school72%

District avg68%

Florida avg64%

189^th of 838

Florida public high schools ?

Top 23%▲ up 9 pts since 2016

From top 32% (2016) to top 23% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

37^th of 108High Schools in the Miami-Dade

20^th of 70Miami-Dade among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	64.2	189 of 838	77.4%	★★★★☆
2025	64.8	185 of 844	78.1%	★★★★☆
2024	68.3	147 of 807	81.8%	★★★★☆
2023	71.8	122 of 792	84.6%	★★★★☆
2022	66.8	149 of 774	80.7%	★★★★☆
2021	58.0	198 of 746	73.5%	★★★★☆
2019	66.2	146 of 734	80.1%	★★★★☆
2018	62.2	171 of 716	76.1%	★★★★☆
2017	59.4	183 of 714	74.4%	★★★★☆
2016	55.3	222 of 693	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2014	63.4	202 of 687	70.6%	★★★★☆
2013	62.0	183 of 648	71.8%	★★★★☆
2012	58.4	171 of 606	71.8%	★★★★☆
2011	80.7	101 of 622	83.8%	★★★★☆
2010	73.9	147 of 620	76.3%	★★★★☆
2009	76.3	118 of 587	79.9%	★★★★☆
2008	70.5	144 of 577	75.0%	★★★★☆
2007	70.7	150 of 563	73.4%	★★★★☆
2006	65.4	155 of 477	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2005	67.9	152 of 487	68.8%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Biology 180%+6 vs state

US History79%+5 vs state

English Language Arts73%+13 vs state

Geometry62%+6 vs state

Algebra 152%-11 vs state

1.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★0

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3★0

2★0

1★2

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What people are saying

by a teacher
Monday, June 4, 2018

Principal Villalobos is focused only on improving state testing scores and claiming how great a leader he is. The man and the rest of the administration are fakes who care nothing about teachers and students. I have had colleagues who have been let go for not complying with every irrational idea that pops into Villalobos' head. Someone should investigate the school. BTW, the man has never been a teacher. Close Quote

Schools Near John A. Ferguson Senior High

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)					FAST Math (2026)			Statewide Science Science (2026)	EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Geometry (2026)	EOC Biology 1 (2026)	EOC US History (2026)	EOC Civics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
John A. Ferguson Senior High	Public, Magnet	9-12	15900 SW 56th St	Miami	33185	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	No	Yes	No	No	(305) 408-2700	4,291	161	26.6	38.1%	129 (3.0%)	50 (1.2%)	4,028 (93.9%)	67 (1.6%)	1 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (0.4%)	64.2	189^th of 838 public high schools	77.4%		64.8	185^th of 844 public high schools	78.1%	4				71.0	75.0					52.0	62.0	80.0	79.0		$9,301	$998	$8,303
Pinecrest Preparatory Academy Charter High School	Public, Charter	9-12	14901 SW 42nd St	Miami	33185	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	Yes	No	No	No	(305) 559-8583	529	10	52.9	56.9%	15 (2.8%)	2 (0.4%)	509 (96.2%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	70.4	135^th of 838 public high schools	83.9%		68.5	159^th of 844 public high schools	81.2%	24				79.0	74.0					74.0	74.0	79.0	78.0		$9,625	$89	$9,536
G. Holmes Braddock Senior High	Public, Magnet	9-12	3601 SW 147th Ave	Miami	33185	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	No	Yes	No	Yes	(305) 225-9729	2,291	108	21.2	46.0%	27 (1.2%)	9 (0.4%)	2,243 (97.9%)	9 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.0%)	2 (0.1%)	40	472^nd of 838 public high schools	43.7%		42	436^th of 844 public high schools	48.3%	36				53.0	49.0					43.0	37.0	67.0	77.0		$12,108	$1,272	$10,837
Felix Varela Senior High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	15255 SW 96th St	Miami	33196	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	No	Yes	No	No	(305) 752-7900	1,935	80	24.1	40.5%	79 (4.1%)	51 (2.6%)	1,778 (91.9%)	19 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	7 (0.4%)	41.9	447^th of 838 public high schools	46.7%		40.9	453^rd of 844 public high schools	46.3%	6				53.0	52.0					48.0	46.0	67.0	74.0		$11,303	$1,178	$10,124
Miami Arts Studio 6-12 At Zelda Glazer	Public, Magnet	6-12	15015 SW 24th St	Miami	33185	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	No	Yes	No	No	(305) 485-2323	1,799	79	22.7	25.6%	46 (2.6%)	12 (0.7%)	1,729 (96.1%)	11 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	86.8	34^th of 838 public high schools	95.9%		87.7	32^nd of 844 public high schools	96.2%	2	94.0	94.0	86.0	94.0	93.0	92.0	83.0	96.0	69.0	99.0	87.0	96.0	94.0	97.0	$10,312	$853	$9,459
Miami Sunset Senior High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	13125 SW 72nd St	Miami	33183	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	No	Yes	No	Yes	(305) 385-4255	979	49	19.9	41.5%	28 (2.9%)	23 (2.3%)	917 (93.7%)	8 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	40.3	470^th of 838 public high schools	43.9%		43.4	417^th of 844 public high schools	50.6%	53				51.0	46.0					51.0	58.0	67.0	69.0		$13,804	$1,634	$12,170
Pinecrest Glades Preparatory Academy Middle High School	Public, Charter	6-12	15250 SW 8th St	Miami	33194	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	Yes	No	No	No	(305) 229-6949	1,159	47	24.6	49.4%	30 (2.6%)	4 (0.3%)	1,114 (96.1%)	8 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	68.7	147^th of 838 public high schools	82.5%		75.4	109^th of 844 public high schools	87.1%	38	82.0	80.0	77.0	74.0	72.0	91.0	84.0	89.0	62.0	81.0	64.0	79.0	80.0	89.0	$7,846	$81	$7,765
Archimedean Upper Conservatory	Public, Charter	9-12	12425 SW 72nd St	Miami	33183	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	Yes	No	No	No	(305) 279-6572	306	23	13.3	32.4%	27 (8.8%)	8 (2.6%)	240 (78.4%)	28 (9.2%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	92.1	8^th of 838 public high schools	99.0%		90	17^th of 844 public high schools	98.0%	9				92.0	96.0						95.0	100.0	97.0		$13,405	$00	$13,405
Bridgeprep Academy Of Village Green Middle High School	Public, Charter	6-12	13300 SW 120th St	Miami	33186	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(786) 408-0661	696	29	24.0	36.6%	21 (3.0%)	11 (1.6%)	660 (94.8%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	38.2	496^th of 838 public high schools	40.8%		28.1	603^rd of 844 public high schools	28.6%	107	65.0	62.0	35.0	41.0	41.0	66.0		44.0	16.0	51.0	46.0	56.0	81.0	84.0	$10,127	$44	$10,083
Terra Environmental Research Institute	Public, Magnet	9-12	11005 SW 84th St	Miami	33173	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	No	Yes	No	No	(305) 412-5800	1,644	62	26.5	24.2%	119 (7.2%)	24 (1.5%)	1,446 (88.0%)	47 (2.9%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (0.4%)	91.4	9^th of 838 public high schools	98.9%		92.3	9^th of 844 public high schools	98.9%					95.0	95.0						95.0	97.0	97.0		$9,758	$517	$9,242

Frequently Asked Questions about John A. Ferguson Senior High

Is John A. Ferguson Senior High a good school?

John A. Ferguson Senior High ranks 189^th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What schools feed into John A. Ferguson Senior High?

John A. Ferguson Senior High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Bowman Ashe/Doolin K-8 Academy
Elementary : Dr. Manuel C. Barreiro Elementary School
Elementary : Jane S. Roberts K-8 Center
Elementary : Zora Neale Hurston Elementary School
Middle : Lamar Louise Curry Middle School
Middle : W. R. Thomas Middle School

How many students attend John A. Ferguson Senior High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 4,291 students attended John A. Ferguson Senior High.

What district is John A. Ferguson Senior High in?

Miami-Dade

What is the racial makeup of John A. Ferguson Senior High?

Students at John A. Ferguson Senior High are 94% Hispanic, 3% White, 2% Asian, 1% African American.

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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.