Summary:
Elementary schools in zip code 33009 (Hallandale Beach, FL) include two schools serving grades K-5 and K-8 within the Broward district, offering a stark contrast between a large traditional academy and a small, rapidly improving charter school.
Gulfstream Academy Of Hallandale Beach is a large K-8 school with 1,227 students that excels in advanced high school-level courses but struggles with foundational skills. In 2025-2026, it achieved 91% proficiency in Biology 1 and 82% in Algebra 1, far exceeding district and state averages. However, its grade-level FAST scores were consistently below average, with 8th Grade Math at just 14% proficiency. The school has a 25.5% chronic absenteeism rate (better than the district's 33.6%) and spends $11,713 per student with a 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio. In contrast, South Broward Montessori Charter School is a small K-5 school with 169 students that has undergone a dramatic turnaround, jumping from the 26th percentile (1 star) to the 54th percentile (3 stars) in state rankings. It now outperforms district and state averages in 4th Grade ELA (76% proficient) and 5th Grade Science (64% proficient). Despite this academic success, it has a high chronic absenteeism rate of 41.1% and spends $13,331 per student.
The key takeaway for parents is the trade-off between these two schools. Gulfstream Academy offers strong preparation for advanced high school coursework but leaves many younger students behind in core subjects. South Broward Montessori provides a well-rounded elementary foundation with recent impressive gains, but its high absenteeism rate is a concern. The data suggests that effective use of resources, not just spending levels, drives performance, as South Broward Montessori's higher per-student spending did not guarantee success in prior years. Parents should consider their child's specific needs—whether they thrive in a large, advanced-track environment or a smaller, specialized setting—when evaluating these options.
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