Bridgeprep Academy Charter

Bridgeprep Academy Charter is a small K-8 school in Miami, FL, serving 299 students within the Orange district, and it stands out as a low-performing school in a region filled with high-achieving options. The most critical issue is its consistently low academic performance, ranking in the bottom 6% of Florida schools for the past seven years, including a 1st percentile ranking in recent years. This is a stark contrast to nearby schools like Somerset Academy Kendall and Archimedean Academy, which rank in the top 2% statewide. Proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math are far below state averages; for example, 5th-grade math proficiency is 31% compared to the state's 62%, while nearby Kendale Elementary School achieves 91%.

A major driver of these struggles is a severe chronic absenteeism rate of 38.2%, significantly higher than the state average of 31.4% and dramatically above neighbors like Cypress K-8 Center (14.3%) and Devon Aire K-8 Center (12.9%). This systemic issue makes academic growth nearly impossible. Interestingly, the school spends $11,174 per student, less than most nearby schools, but even schools with similar or lower spending, such as Somerset Palms Academy ($8,933), achieve vastly superior results, suggesting the challenge is about how resources are used, not just the amount.

Despite these challenges, there are bright spots. Seventh-grade math proficiency has exceeded state averages for two consecutive years, and students in high school-level courses like Algebra 1 and Biology 1 perform well above state averages. A telling comparison is with Bridgeprep Academy South, just 1.69 miles away, which serves a similar demographic but ranks in the 59th percentile with proficiency rates often double or triple those of Bridgeprep Academy Charter. This shows the issues are not inherent to the student population but likely tied to school-level leadership and practices. The most urgent need is a comprehensive strategy to reduce chronic absenteeism.